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tihvavy  of  ^he  t:heolo0ical  ^tminaxy 

PRINCETON  •  NEW  JERSEY 
PRESENTED  BY 

BV  1516  .A2  W6  1904 

Brown,  Joseph,  1837-1918. 

Sabbath-school  missions  in 
Wisconsin 


Rev.  Joseph  Brown 


Sabbath-School 
Missions   in  Wisconsin 


A  record  of  fifteen  years  of  Sabbath- 
School  Mission  Work  done  in  Wis- 
consin, in  which  the  needs  and  the 
triumphs    of  the   work    are  made^  known 


REV.  JOSEPH  "BROWN 

S^nodical  Sabbath-School  Missionary  for  Wisconsin 


WITH    ILLUSTRATIONS 


PHILADELPHIA 

PRESBYTERIAN  BOARD  OF  PUBLICATION 

AND  SABBATH-SCHOOL  WORK 

1904 


Copyright,  1904,  by  the  Trustees  of 
The  Presbyterian  Board  of  Publication  and  Sabbath-School  Work. 


Thomas  W.  Synnott 


7o 

My  Friend  and  Brother, 

THOMAS   IV.  SYNNOTT, 

of 

Wenonah,  New  Jersey, 

in  grateful  recognition  of 

his  words  of  encouragement  and  faithful  support 

during  the  past  fifteen  years, 

this  volume 

is  respectfully  dedicated 


<?55 


preface 


During  the  past  fifteen  years  it  has  been  my 
pleasant  privilege  to  address  many  of  our  churches 
in  the  East  and  West  and  present  the  claims  of  our 
great  Presbyterian  Sabbath-School  missionary  work. 
Frequently,  in  making  arrangements  for  these  serv- 
ices, pastors  have  said  to  me  :  "  What  will  be  the 
character  of  your  address  ?  "  and  my  response  has 
usually  been  :  **  Word  pictures  of  the  things  I  have 
seen  and  heard  on  the  Sabbath-School  mission  field 
of  Wisconsin." 

And  this  is  the  purpose  I  have  had  in  view  in  the 
preparation  of  this  book  :  to  make  it  a  collection  of 
pictures  of  actual  Sabbath-School  mission  work 
performed  along  these  years  and  in  the  order  in 
which  it  was  done.  This  I  have  attempted  with  the 
hope  and  prayer  that  a  perusal  of  these  pages  will 
impart  knowledge,  and  produce  impressions  for 
good,  in  behalf  of  this  great  work  which  is  so  vital 
to  the  future  welfare  of  our  beloved  Church. 

Joseph  Brown. 

Marshjield,  Wisconsin, 
January  i,  igo4. 


IFntrobuctori? 


This  book  is  a  story  of  actual  work  and  experi- 
ence. Its  author,  Rev.  Joseph  Brown,  is  one  of  our 
most  capable  and  faithful  Sabbath-School  mission- 
aries. He  is  a  native  of  Scotland,  where  he  was  an 
honored  elder  for  many  years.  He  is  an  illustration 
of  the  fact  that  God,  in  these  times,  is  calling  to 
specific  methods  of  work  consecrated  men  of  busi- 
ness. In  the  fifteen  years  in  which  he  has  been 
toiHng  in  Wisconsin  he  has  commended  himself  not 
only  to  our  Board  of  Publication  and  Sabbath- 
School  Work,  but  to  the  Presbyteries,  the  Synod, 
and  the  members  of  our  Church  in  that  great 
State. 

This  book  makes  no  pretensions  to  literary  merit, 
but  I  know  of  no  narrative  which,  in  so  brief  a 
form,  sets  forth  the  exact  condition  of  the  unevan- 
gelized  neighborhoods,  and  of  how  best  to  reach 
them. 

I  commend  it  with  an  earnest  prayer  to  liberal 
men  and  women,  and  to  the  churches  and  Sabbath- 
Schools  which  generously  support  this  effort  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  to  reach  and  win  for  Christ  the 
neglected  millions  of  youth  in  this  land. 

vii 


Viii  INTRODUCTORY 

Few  will  read  its  pages  who  will  not  be  deeply 
touched,  and  hear  again  the  proofs  of 

The  Divine  Vocation. 

God's  voice  is  calling  to  this  specific  form  of 
evangelization.  The  needs  of  our  country  are  so 
many  Divine  calls.  In  this  land  to-day  are  twelve 
millions  of  children  and  youth  yet  unreached  by 
Sabbath-Schools.  This  means  that  only  one-half 
of  the  school  population  of  these  United  States  are 
in  Sabbath-Schools,  and,  presumably,  the  other 
one-half  are,  most  of  them,  without  moral  or  re- 
ligious instruction.  This  is  the  fact  after  one  hun- 
dred years  of  such  Christian  effort  in  behalf  of  the 
young  as  the  world  has  never  seen  in  nineteen 
Christian  centuries. 

Where  are  These  Unreached  Millions  of 

Youth  ? 

They  are  not  only  the  colored  children  of  the 
South — though  these  are  pecuHar  in  their  destitu- 
tion ;  they  are  not  only  on  our  Western  frontiers — 
"  far  out  upon  the  prairies  "  ;  these  "  heathen  are  at 
our  doors."  More  than  five  millions  of  them  are  in 
New  England,  New  York,  Pennsylvania,  Ohio, 
Kentucky,  Illinois,  Missouri,  Kansas,  Minnesota, 
Wisconsin,  and  Michigan.  There  is  scarcely  a  dis- 
trict or  parish  surrounding  a  Presbyterian  church  or 
Sabbath-School  which  has  not  a  proportion  of  these 
home  heathen.     It  will  be  remembered  that  we  are 


INTRODUCTORY  IX 

aiming  to  gather  in  not  merely  the  little  children 
between  the  ages  of  five  and  ten,  but  we  are  aiming 
to  reach  the  young  people  between  the  ages  of 
twelve  and  twenty-one. 

It  is  scarcely  necessary  for  me  to  say  that  this 
estimate  of  the  situation  and  of  the  facts  concerning 
the  need  of  Sabbath-School  missionary  work  in 
every  church  and  parish  is  coincided  in  by  every 
pastor,  Sabbath-School  worker,  and  active  Christian 
of  whom  I  have  knowledge.  Indeed,  these  facts  are 
incontrovertible. 

Advantages    of    Sabbath-School    Missionary 
Work  as  a  Method  of  Evangelization. 

If  we  are  to  ''  go  after  the  masses  "  in  order  to 
reach  them,  in  what  manner  are  we  to  go  after  them 
with  such  assurance  of  success  and  of  the  Divine 
approval,  as  when  we  go  out  into  the  highways  and 
hedges  and  by  our  love  and  sympathy  compel  chil- 
dren and  youth  to  come  into  God's  house  and  be 
taught  the  word  of  Christ?  Is  there  any  other 
method  of  evangelization  so  economical,  utilizing 
Christian  forces  now  lying  latent  in  every  church  ? 
Is  there  any  method  so  adapted  to  disarm  opposi- 
tion on  the  part  of  non-church  goers  and  the  non- 
Christians?  Who  needs  to  be  told  that  the  best 
method  of  reaching  parents  is  first  to  win  their  chil- 
dren ?  Is  it  not  almost  a  truism,  patent  to  every 
one,  that  the  most  hopeful  way  of  saving  America 
for  Christ  is  to  save  the  children  ? 


X  INTRODUCTORY 

From  all  portions  of  our  country  I  am  daily  re- 
ceiving letters  urging  a  concerted  effort  in  behalf  of 
"  these  little  ones  "  and  the  young  people. 

I  cannot  close  this  brief  introductory  word  better 
than  to  quote  the  language  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Howard 
Crosby,  of  blessed  memory,  which  he  used  with  ref- 
erence to  the  Sabbath-School  Missionary  Depart- 
ment, and  which  words  were  unanimously  approved 
by  the  General  Assembly : — 

"  The  direct  missionary  work  of  the  Board  [of 
Publication  and  Sabbath-School  Work]  is  largely 
that  of  a  forerunner  to  the  work  of  the  Board  of 
Home  Missions.  It  can  occupy  a  field  newly 
opened  before  the  home  missionary  can  reach  it. 
It  collects  materials  and  starts  a  life  to  which  the 
home  missionary  comes  afterwards.  It  plants  the 
school,  which  the  home  missionary  converts  into  a 
church.  It  visits  a  settlement  before  the  houses  are 
roofed  in,  and  gathers  the  children  to  receive  reli- 
gious instruction — it  may  be  under  a  tree  or  in  a 
barn.  It  seeks  to  sanctify  a  community  at  its  birth, 
and  so  prepare  the  way  for  larger  spiritual  applica- 
tions. The  work  is  laborious  and  full  of  vicissitude, 
requiring  faith  and  zeal  and  tact  that  are  not  ex- 
tensively found.  The  self-denying  Sabbath-School 
missionary  meets  with  every  variety  of  experience. 
He  pushes  on  under  the  burning  heat  of  summer 
and  the  biting  cold  of  winter.  He  puts  up  with  a 
rough  diet  and  rougher  lodgment.  He  faces  objec- 
tions, indifference,  rudeness,  and  open   opposition. 


INTRODUCTORY  XI 

He  is  satisfied  with  a  meager  salary,  and  finds  his 
reward  in  a  good  conscience  and  the  knowledge 
that  he  is  working  in  the  front  for  his  Lord  and 
Saviour.  With  all  the  disadvantages  that  he  meets 
he  founds  the  school,  he  establishes  its  system,  he 
appoints  its  officers,  he  instructs  them  in  its  manner 
of  conduct,  and,  having  fairly  constructed  and 
launched  the  new  enterprise  with  earnest  prayer,  he 
proceeds  to  the  next  station  to  repeat  the  useful 
work  there.  These  are  the  noble  men  and  this  the 
noble  work  which  our  Board  has  been  faithfully  and 
efficiently  sustaining,  and  the  results  have  been  such 
as  to  awaken  our  loftiest  gratitude  to  God." 

The  following  is  a  summary  of  the  results  of  Mr. 
Brown's  work  during  the  fifteen  years  of  his  service 
as  a  Sabbath-School  missionary : 

Sabbath-Schools  organized 91 

Sabbath-Schools  reorganized 36 

Number  of  teachers  in  the  schools 375 

Number  of  scholars  in  the  schools 3»654 

Pages  of  tracts  distributed 593>834 

Number  of  volumes  distributed 5>73i 

Number  of  Bibles  distributed •    •  1,431 

Sabbath-Schools  visited i.o^3 

Addresses   delivered 3.909 

Families  visited 9,476 

Miles   traversed 256,916 

Total   number   of  churches   developed  from  the  work 

since    1887 » 47 

Presbyterian  churches  organized      44 

Chapels  built 44 

Value  of  chapel  and  church  property ^15,000.00 

In  order  that  the  reader  may  have  a  comprehen- 
sive view  of  Sabbath-School  missions  as  carried  on 


Xii  INTRODUCTORY 

by  the  Presbyterian  Church,  it  would  be  necessary 
to  multiply  the  experiences  and  results  of  Mr. 
Brown's  work  in  Wisconsin  by  fifty,  if  the  imagi- 
nation can  perform  such  a  feat. 

The  example  of  Mr.  T.  W.  Synnott  in  sending 
his  representative  into  the  high  places  of  the  field 
may  well  be  imitated  by  many  of  God's  princely 
stewards.  While  he  has  been  engaged  in  the  great 
enterprises  of  business,  to  which  he  has  been  provi- 
dentially called,  Mr.  Synnott's  representative  has 
been  carrying  the  gospel,  in  its  purest  and  simplest 
form,  to  thousands ;  and  has  been  transforming  the 
great  State  of  Wisconsin  by  building  up  churches 
and  the  Kingdom  of  Christ.  The  consciousness  of 
being  represented  on  "  the  firing  line "  is  in  itself 
precious. 

The  prayers  of  all  of  God's  people  are  requested 
for  this  pioneer  and  Christlike  work. 

James  A.  Worden. 


Contenta 

I.     Beginnings 

II.     Developments         .... 

III.  ''The    Common    People     Heard    Him 

Gladly" 

IV.  Encouragements    .... 
V.     Wide-Spread  Interest   . 

VI.  Gather  Them  In     . 

VII.  From  Place  to  Place 

VIII.  After  Ten  Years  .... 

IX.  In  City  and  Country     . 

X.  ''  Come  Over  and  Help  Us  "  . 

XI.  Ripening  Fields     .... 

XII.  Touring     with     the    Superintendent 

Viewing  the  Results  . 

XIII.  Retrospect 


I 

8 

17 

28 

38 
54 
67 

88 

115 
121 

^33 

143 
154 


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Open-air  Sabbath-School  Institute 

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Valley  Sabbath-School 

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Prince  of  Peace  Chapel 

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Ribb  Hill  Schoolhouse 

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Deerfield  Chapel 

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Lansdowne  Chapel 

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Dekorra  Chapel 

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XV 


CHAPTER  I 

BEGINNINGS 

Suffer  little  children  to  come  unto  me,  and  forbid  them  not :  for 
of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  God. — Luke  i8 :  i6. 

I.     How   Sabbath-School    Mission  Work   Is 
Done. 

II.     One  Day's  Work  for  Jesus. 


I.     HOW  sabbath-school  mission  work  is  done. 

The  following  request  has  been  addressed  to  me  : 
"  Will  you  state  particulars  as  to  the  manner  in 
which  you  seek  to  do  your  work  as  a  Sabbath- 
School  missionary  ?  "  It  is  a  privilege  to  give  the 
desired  information. 

I  select  a  district  of  the  county  within  my  bounds. 
With  my  bag  filled  with  books,  tracts,  and  papers, 
and  with  umbrella  in  hand,  I  set  out  for  the  duties 
of  the  day.  If  my  work  lies  in  a  district  in  which 
there  is  a  settled  minister,  I  generally  walk  two 
miles  away  from  his  field  of  labor.  This  I  do  that 
I  may  not  work  on  ground  in  charge  of  another. 
By  so  doing  I  have  never  had  unpleasant  relations 
with  any  one. 

Having  reached  what  I  regard  as  a  proper  field,  I 

I 


2  SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS    IN   WISCONSIN 

begin  my  work  by  calling  at  the  different  houses 
along  my  way.  The  amount  of  time  spent  in  these 
houses  varies,  as  I  am  regulated  by  the  character  of 
the  reception  given  and  by  the  prospect  of  doing 
good.  In  visiting  a  district  for  the  first  time,  the 
people  are  strangers  to  me,  and  I  have  to  introduce 
my  way  among  them  as  best  I  can.  In  such  case 
my  work  is,  in  fact,  both  a  tour  of  discovery  and 
a  species  of  fishing.  I  go  among  the  people  to  do 
them  good,  and  in  order  to  accomplish  this  pru- 
dence and  tact  are  needed.  As  I  step  into  the 
various  homes,  and  they  are  various  in  many  re- 
spects, I  tell  the  occupants  who  I  am  and  what  is 
the  purpose  of  my  visit,  and  as  I  do  so  I  generally 
extend  a  cheerful  greeting,  wishing  them,  in  the 
most  pleasant  manner  possible,  a  good-morning. 
This  cheerful  greeting  seems,  in  most  cases,  to  take 
the  people  by  storm.  This  I  judge  from  the  cordial 
receptions  generally  accorded  to  me.  After  having 
been  invited  to  come  in  and  sit  down,  and  having 
accepted,  my  talk  begins  and  is  carried  on  accord- 
ing to  circumstances. 

In  every  district  there  are  some  families  more  in 
sympatJiy  with  good  than  others.  To  find  out  such 
families  is  a  matter  of  great  importance  to  me  in 
the  prosecution  of  my  work.  Having  found  such, 
they  become  the  objects  of  special  attention.  Con- 
versation is  held  with  them  as  to  the  needs  of  the 
people  in  relation  to  Sabbath- School  work.  After 
I    have    obtained   the    necessary    information,  and 


BEGINNINGS  3 

have  excited  some  interest  in  the  minds  of  those 
with  whom  I  have  conversed,  generally  a  place  and 
time  are  fixed  for  holding  a  meeting,  and  arrange- 
ments are  made  for  conducting  the  service.  At 
this  meeting  the  importance  of  Sabbath-School 
work  is  pointed  out  in  the  most  forcible  manner 
possible,  and  at  its  close  the  judgment  of  those 
present  is  sought  as  to  the  propriety  of  establishing 
a  school. 

When  an  organization  has  been  decided  upon, 
which  is  generally  the  case,  the  different  officers  are 
selected  by  the  people  present  and  all  necessary 
arrangements  are  made.  Before  all  this  can  be 
perfected,  however,  it  must  be  preceded  by  many 
long  walks  and  frequent  visitations.  Success 
assured,  a  feeling  of  pleasure  and  satisfaction  fills 
the  mind  of  the  Sabbath-School  missionary. 

When  Sabbath-Schools  are  planted,  are  they  left 
to  themselves  without  the  planter's  care?  Nay, 
verily.  They  are  fostered  by  prayer,  by  sympathy, 
by  revisitation,  and  by  many  helps,  as  each  case 
may  require  and  as  means  and  opportunity  are 
afforded.  The  Sabbath-School  missionary  has  a 
love  for  the  schools  he  plants  ;  and  the  people,  know- 
ing this  and  knowing  where  he  lives,  are  ever  ready 
to  let  him  know  when  help  is  needed.  Such  help 
is  frequently  asked  for,  and  the  missionary,  with  the 
means  placed  at  his  disposal  by  the  Board,  and  by 
books  and  papers  received  from  the  friends  of  Sab- 
bath-School missions,  is  always  able  to  extend  it. 


4  SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS   IN   WISCONSIN 

If  wise  and  faithful,  he  so  directs  his  gifts  and  labors 
as  to  nurture  the  good  work  begun.  By  use  of  the 
varied  means  at  the  disposal  of  the  Sabbath-School 
missionary,  a  grand  work  is  being  done  for  Christ 
and  the  people. 

By  this  Sabbath-School  mission  agency  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  has  an  instrument  in  her  grasp  by 
which  the  numerous  and  widespread  settlers  can  be 
reached  and  evangelized.  This  attained,  a  moral 
and  spiritual  result  will  be  reached  that  will  bring 
honor  to  God  and  stability  and  prosperity  to  our 
beloved  land. 

II.       ONE  day's  work  for  JESUS. 

One  morning  in  August,  1889,  I  left  the  town  of 
Phillips  to  visit  what  is  called  the  Parker  District,  a 
few  miles  out  in  the  country,  among  the  woods.  In 
less  than  an  hour,  after  a  pleasant  and  thoughtful 
walk,  I  reach  my  field  of  work.  Before  me  stands 
the  white  schoolhouse,  with  a  number  of  farm- 
houses, in  a  circle  of  a  mile  or  so. 

Visit  No.  I. — A  German  family  consisting  of  the 
parents  and  three  children.  I  had  a  talk  with  the 
mother,  who  is  in  sympathy  with  all  good  work. 
This  family  belong  to  the  German  Lutheran  Church, 
and  are  expecting  a  pastor  soon  to  be  placed  in 
charge  of  the  Germans  of  this  district.  I  left  them 
something  to  read. 

Visit  No.  2. — An  American  family,  consisting  of 
the   parents   and   five   children.     The   mother  was 


< 

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o 

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tj 

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W 
H 

o 
o 

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< 


BEGINNINGS  5 

much  interested  in  what  I  had  to  say  of  Sabbath- 
School  work.  She  longs  to  have  such  work  here.  I 
left  lesson  leaves  for  her  family,  all  of  which  were 
thankfully  received. 

Visit  No.  J. — Another  American  family  consist- 
ing of  the  parents  and  two  children.  The  mother 
longs  for  and  would  be  very  much  pleased  to  have 
a  Sabbath-School.  They  feel  the  want  of  religious 
service,  having  had  such  before  they  came  to  this 
place  five  years  ago.  Again  I  left  lesson  papers 
and  tracts. 

Visit  No.  ^. — A  German  family ;  parents  old  and 
children  grown  up.  They  were  not  able  to  speak 
English  very  well.  The  mother  told  me  she  had  a 
married  daughter  at  home,  sick,  from  Albany,  New 
York.  As  I  expressed  a  willingness  to  see  her,  she 
took  me  to  her  room,  which  was  near  by  the  one  I 
was  in.  The  homes  here  in  many  cases  are  small. 
The  sick  woman  received  me  with  grateful  expres- 
siofis.  She  seemed  to  be  far  gone  in  consumption, 
and  to  human  appearance  had  but  a  short  time  to 
live.  I  spoke  to  her  only  of  matters  in  keeping 
with  her  sick  condition,  and  asked  permission  to 
engage  with  her  in  prayer,  which  request  was  readily 
granted.  This  duty  performed,  I  spoke  a  few  part- 
ing words  to  the  dying  woman,  and  left  some  read- 
ing material  with  the  aged  mother,  and  bade  them 
good-bye.  I  noticed  the  silent  "  tear-drops  "  on  the 
pale  face  of  the  sick  daughter  as  I  turned  with  feel- 
ings of  the  deepest  sympathy,  and  came  away. 


6  SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS    IN    WISCONSIN 

Visits  Nos.  5  aftd  6  do  not  call  for  special  notice, 
as  they  were  of  a  kind  which  may  be  called  com- 
mon. The  families  were  German,  and  I  gave  them 
German  lesson  papers. 

Visit  No.  y. — I  called  at  the  schoolhoiise,  and  see- 
ing the  door  open  I  thought  I  would  like  to  peep  in 
and  see  the  teacher  and  her  charge.  After  tapping 
at  the  door,  I  was  ushered  into  the  school  by  the 
teacher,  a  young  lady  of  pleasant  manners.  She 
was  pleased  to  have  a  visit  from  me,  and  was  glad 
to  take  thirteen  lesson  papers  to  give  to  each  of  the 
scholars  when  they  went  home.  I  spoke  a  few 
words  of  encouragement  to  her  and  the  children, 
after  which  I  bade  them  good-bye. 

Visit  No.  8. — After  a  walk  of  half  a  mile  I  found 
another  American  family.  I  was  cordially  received. 
The  mother  said  she  would  be  pleased  to  have  a 
Sabbath-School  for  the  children.  I  left  much  read- 
ing there,  as  I  thought  it  would  do  good  and  be  ap- 
preciated. 

Visit  No.  p. — An  old  German  man,  who  could 
not  speak  to  me.  I  gave  him  a  German  lesson  leafy 
for  which  he  seemed  grateful.  After  leaving  this 
home  and  entering  the  dense  and  quiet  woods,  there, 
right  before  me,  stood  a  deer  with  two  young  ones 
beside  her.  They  looked  quietly  at  me  for  awhile, 
and  I  did  the  same  at  them,  as  I  was  pleased  to  see 
such  beautiful  creatures.  As  I  neared  them  they 
dashed  into  the  woods  and  were  soon  lost  to  view. 

Visit  No.  10. — Two  American  families,  equally 


BEGINNINGS  7 

ready  to  have  Sabbath-School  as  soon  as  possible. 
To  both  families  I  gave  lesson  leaves. 

Visits  II  and  12. — Both  families  were  German 
and  belonged  to  the  German  Lutheran  Church.  I 
had  pleasant  talks  with  them  both,  gave  them  tracts 
to  read,  and  expressed  pleasure  at  hearing  that  they 
valued  the  services  of  the  church,  and  entertained 
friendly  feehng  for  them.  Thinkmg  that  a  Sab- 
bath-School would  be  formed  among  the  American 
families,  I  tried  to  see  the  clerk  of  the  school  board. 
In  this  I  failed,  as  he  was  away  from  home,  but  his  wife 
thought  there  was  no  doubt  of  getting  his  approval. 
I  will  take  the  earliest  opportunity  of  having  a  meet- 
ing and  talking  the  matter  over.  Sabbath  day  is 
the  only  time  suitable  at  this  season  of  the  year. 
The  seed  has  been  sown  ;  may  it  be  blessed  of  God  ! 


CHAPTER  II 
DEVELOPMENTS 

And  ye  shall  teach  them  your  children,  speaking  of  them  when 
thou  sittest  in  thine  house,  and  when  thou  walkest  by  the  way, 
when  thou  liest  down,  and  when  thou  risest  up. — Deut.  ii  :  ig. 

I.    "  My  Boys  are  Growing  up  and  They  are 

NOT  Turning  Out  Well." 
II.    The  P^irst  Sabbath-School  Mission  Chapel 
Built  July,  1890. 

III.  "  A  Photograph  of  Sabbath-School  Mis- 

sion Work." 

IV.  "  We  Cannot  but  Speak  of  the  Things 

We  Have  Seen  and  Heard." 


I.   "  MY  BOYS  ARE  GROWING  UP  AND  THEY  ARE  NOT 

TURNING  OUT  WELL." 

The  following  touching  and  suggestive  incident 
occurred  on  this  wise  :  It  was  on  a  Saturday,  in  the 
month  of  December ;  the  ground  was  covered  with 
snow  to  the  depth  of  four  inches.  At  10  A.  m.  I 
stopped  at  a  small  town  called  Unity.  From  that 
place  I  started  to  walk  directly  east  into  the  country 
to  the  Allen  settlement,  a  distance  of  four  miles. 
As  I  walked  along  I  met  a  farmer  and  I  greeted 
8 


DEVELOPMENTS  9 

him  with  a  cheerful  *•  Good-morning,  my  friend." 
He  kindly  returned  the  salutation  and  a  conversa- 
tion was  begun.  I  told  him  who  I  was  and  the  pur- 
pose of  my  coming — to  visit  the  Allen  Sabbath- 
School  and  also  to  hold  service.  He  replied,  "  I 
was  at  the  Sabbath-School  last  Sabbath,  and,  if 
spared,  I  will  be  there  to-morrow."  Then,  looking 
at  me  very  earnestly  in  the  face,  he  said,  "  Friend, 
why  did  not  you  or  some  one  else  come  out  years 
ago  and  start  Sabbath-Schools  in  these  settlements  ? 
My  home  is  three  and  a  half  miles  farther  out  than 
the  Allen's  settlement,  and  I  have  lived  twelve  years 
there  destitute  of  all  means  of  grace ^  and  my  boys 
are  growing  up  and  they  are  not  turning  out  well." 
As  he  spoke  tears  dropped  from  his  cheek.  Such 
grief  was  to  me  a  sure  indication  that  behind  these 
tears  there  was  a  sad  story,  for  the  men  of  Wiscon- 
sin are  by  no  means  soft-hearted.  When  I  reached 
the  Allen  settlement  I  made  inquiries  as  to  the 
"  boys  "  and  found  that  one  of  them  was  in  Wapun 
prison.  On  learning  this  I  therefore  was  better 
able  to  grasp  the  eloquence  of  the  father's  tears. 
Since  then  another  of  his  "  boys  "  has  come  under 
the  meshes  of  the  law,  charged  with  its  violation. 
In  this  incident  stand  revealed  similar  conditions 
that  can  be  counted  by  the  himdreds  all  over  this 
State  ;  and  they  will  remain  until  such  time  as  the 
Sabbath-School  missionary  finds  them  out,  and 
helps  them  to  help  themselves  by  the  fourfold  means 
at    his    disposal,   viz. :    Organization    of    Sabbath- 


10         SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS    IN    WISCONSIN 

Schools  ;  house-to-house  visitation  ;  distribution  of 
Bibles,  books,  and  tracts ;  and  frequent  revisitation 
and  evangelistic  services. 

By  these  applied  means  of  grace,  accompanied 
with  the  blessing  of  God,  these  moral  deserts  are 
being  transformed  and  made  beautiful  with  the 
flowers  of  virtue. 

II.      THE     FIRST     SABBATH-SCHOOL     MISSION     CHAPEL 

BUILT  JULY,  1 890. 

Sabbath  last  was  a  day  to  be  remembered  by  the 
people  living  in  the  McGregor  District.  On  that 
day  the  McGregor  Sabbath-School  Mission  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  was  duly  opened  and  dedi- 
cated. The  services  of  the  day  were  three  in  num- 
ber, all  of  which  were  numerously  attended  and 
much  appreciated.  They  were  conducted  by  myself, 
assisted  by  Rev.  Mr.  Child,  of  Plainfield.  The  ob- 
jects aimed  at  by  the  erection  of  this  chapel  are  to 
provide  suitable  accommodation  for  the  Sabbath- 
School  of  the  district,  which  for  several  years  past 
has  been  held  in  the  grove ,  and  to  afford  means  of 
frequent  services  to  meet  the  spiritual  wants  of  the 
people.  The  building  is  the  property  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church,  and  will  always  be  open  to  the 
preachers  of  the  Congregational,  Baptist,  and  Meth- 
odist churches.  Wenonah,  New  Jersey,  Sabbath- 
School  gave  the  handsome  sum  of  ^140.00  to  help 
in  its  erection.  The  Ladies'  Missionary  Society  of 
the    Central   Presbyterian   Church   of   Philadelphia 


'J 

z 

< 


•Ji 
as 


> 


DEVELOPMENTS  1 1 

gave  ;^33.oo  to  build  a  chimney  and  put  in  a 
stove  in  order  to  heat  the  church.  All  honor  to 
them ! 

III.      "  A    PHOTOGRAPH    OF    SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSION 

WORK." 

September  i8th,  i8go. — I  rode  sixteen  miles  on 
the  stage,  over  a  rough  road,  to  Maple  Works,  in 
Clark  County.  The  time  was  3  o'clock  p.  m.  The 
day  was  warm  and  sultry.  The  clouds  began  gath- 
ering in  a  threatening  manner,  indicating  the  ap- 
proach of  a  thunderstorm.  I  had  a  walk  of  nine 
miles  before  me  in  order  to  reach  the  interior  of  the 
country.  As  is  my  custom^  I  made  calls  on  the  dif- 
ferent families  as  I  passed  along,  and  left  with  each 
some  suitable  reading  for  young  arid  old.  I  had 
walked  two-thirds  of  the  way  when  the  thunder- 
storm came  on  in  all  its  fury.  Hail  and  rain  came 
down  in  torrents.  I  took  shelter  in  the  first  house 
I  came  to.  Darkness  came  on,  the  rain  continued, 
the  lightning  flashed,  and  the  thunder  rolled.  What 
was  I  to  do  for  lodging  ?  I  could  not  stop  where  I 
was,  for  the  good  reason  that  there  were  no  suitable 
accommodations. 

I  faced  the  storm  and  went  forward  to  a  house  a 
mile  farther  on,  where  I  felt  sure  the  inmates  would 
kindly  lodge  me  for  the  night.  In  this  I  was  not 
disappointed.  It  was  a  humble  home,  but  I  was 
entertained  right  royally.  The  good  people  had 
loving  hearts,  and  did  their  best  to  make  me  com- 


12         SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS    IN   WISCONSIN 

fortable.     The  Lord  will  reward  them  for  all  their 
kindness  to  his  servant. 

Friday,  September  igth. — The  rain  was  still  fall- 
ing, and  the  roads  deep  in  mud  and  water.  I  must 
go  forward  to  Spokeville,  five  miles  distant.  The 
road  lay  through  a  forest,  and  was  only  partially 
made,  and  consequently  I  found  the  mud  and  water 
ankle  deep.  Rolling  up  my  pantaloons,  I  waded 
through,  and  at  last  reached  my  destination,  wet 
and  soiled  with  mud.  But  the  soldiers  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  in  the  nineteenth  century,  must  be 
brave  and  hardy,  as  they  were  in  the  days  of  old. 
What  are  mud  and  water  compared  with  the  ex- 
perience of  Christian  workers  of  the  past,  of  whom  it 
is  written  in  Hebrews  ii  :  37  :  "  They  were  stoned, 
they  were  sawn  asunder,  were  tempted,  were  slain 
with  the  sword:  they  wandered  about  in  sheep- 
skins and  goatskins ;  being  destitute,  afflicted,  tor- 
mented." 

Having  reached  Spokeville,  I  began  my  work  of 
house-to-house  visitation,  and  found  the  people  de- 
sirous of  having  a  Sabbath-School.  At  present 
they  have  no  means  of  grace  among  them.  I  ar- 
ranged to  hold  a  meeting  with  them  on  Sabbath 
afternoon.  On  Friday  and  Saturday  nights  I  held 
services  in  another  schoolhouse  four  miles  distant. 

Sabbath,  September  21st. — I  held  a  meeting  at  3 
o'clock  p.  M.  in  Spokeville  schoolhouse,  which  was 
filled  to  the  door.  I  had  a  short  service,  then  an 
address    on    the   benefits  of  Sabbath-Schools   as   a 


DEVELOPMENTS 


13 


means  of  grace  for  all.  At  the  close  a  Sabbath- 
School  was  organized,  officers  elected,  lesson  papers 
given,  and  arrangements  made  to  meet  the  next 
Sabbath  at  3  p.  m.  Thus  it  is  that  the  work  is  be- 
gun, so  full  of  important  results  to  children  and 
parents.  I  left  the  people,  promising  them  all  the 
aid  I  can  give.  The  people  feel  drawn  to  the  mis- 
sionary ;  the  missionary  to  the  people.  They  are 
not  noiv  strangers,  but  friends.  All  hardships  are 
forgotten  in  the  success  that  has  attended  this  work 
for  Jesus. 

IV.      "WE    CANNOT    BUT    SPEAK    OF    THE    THINGS    WE 
HAVE  SEEN  AND  HEARD." 

May  28th,  i8gi.~<'  We  cannot  but  speak  of  the 
things  we  have  seen  and  heard."  This  day  we  en- 
tered a  new  and  needy  field  in  the  southern  part  of 
Clark  County,  called  Dell's  Dam.  This  district  is 
as  far  as  settlers  have  yet  gone.  I  reached  the  dis- 
trict early  in  the  afternoon,  went  straight  to  the 
little  schoolhoiise,  had  an  interview  with  the  teacher, 
and  arranged  to  have  a  meeting  in  the  evening,  and 
gave  notice  of  the  same  to  the  children  to  take 
home  to  their  fathers  and  mothers. 

Having  gained  information  as  to  the  locations  of 
the  different  settlers,  I  set  out  to  visit  them.  Par- 
ticular and  kindly  visitation  is  a  first  and  essential 
element  of  successful  Sabbath-School  mission  work. 
A  visit  from  a  Christian  worker  here  is  like 
"  angels'  visits,"  few  and  far  between.     This  after- 


14         SABBATH-SCHOOL   MISSIONS   IN   WISCONSIN 

noon  I  managed  to  visit  eight  of  these  families,  all 
of  whom  received  me  "  joyfully."  In  each  family  I 
spoke  kindly  and  hopefully,  gave  some  reading  ma- 
terial, and  urged  all  to  come  to  the  meeting.  This 
they  promised  to  do,  and  they  were  true  to  their 
promise,  for  at  eight  o'clock  the  schoolhouse, 
lighted  up  with  four  "  lamps  "  brought  by  the  peo- 
ple, was  filled.  We  had  a  short  service,  to  which 
the  people  gave  heed.  I  spoke  on  the  Saviour's 
words  in  Matthew  6  and  33,  and  sought  to  show  the 
need  of  religion  as  an  element  in  every  Hfe,  from 
childhood  onward.  A  Sabbath-School  was  organ- 
ized under  the  care  of  two  of  the  best  adapted  to 
the  work  to  be  found  among  the  people.  One  of 
them  was  a  member  of  a  church  at  Neillsville.  All 
seemed  pleased  at  the  result,  and  so  was  I.  I 
promised  to  help  them  all  I  could,  and  urged  them 
to  help  themselves.  Everywhere  I  go  planting  Sab- 
bath-Schools the  anxious  question  is  always  put : 
"  How  long  will  it  be  before  you  come  again  to  visit 
us  and  have  meetings  ?  "  What  is  needed  is  more 
frequent  service,  whereby  instruction  and  inspiration 
are  given  through  the  agency  of  the  Word  preached. 
The  Word  of  God  is  the  seed  which  requires  to  be 
sown  in  order  to  produce  a  crop  of  Christians. 

May  2gth,  Friday. — I  was  up  early,  as  usual. 
Bidding  the  people  "  good-bye,"  I  set  out  to  con- 
tinue the  work  of  visitation  and  exploration.  This 
last  named  is  very  necessary,  as  so  much  needs  to  be 
known  in  relation  to  the  spiritual  condition  of  each 


DEVELOPMENTS  1 5 

district.  In  my  survey  to-day,  I  located  another 
district  in  which  I  shall  concentrate  effort  for  good. 
The  people  are  desirous  of  Christian  work.  I  vis- 
ited twelve  famihes  and  two  public  schools  during 
the  day,  and  arranged  for  service  this  evening  in  the 
Canfield  schoolhouse,  another  needy  district.  There 
was  a  large  attendance,  and  a  deep  impression  made 
as  to  the  need  of  a  Sabbath-School  for  the  district. 
The  meeting  voted  to  organize  a  Sabbath- School, 
Final  arrangements  were  deferred,  owing  to  diffi- 
culty in  finding  suitable  superintendents.  Another 
meeting  will  be  held  in  two  weeks,  when  it  is  hoped 
the  difficulty  will  be  overcome.  Here,  as  else- 
where, the  fields  are  white  unto  harvest.  Great  and 
far-reaching  evil  is  being  done  in  all  such  places  on 
account  of  the  want  of  Christian  agency  to  direct 
and  mould  human  life.  This  condition  of  things 
can  only  be  changed  by  help  from  without,  and 
that  forms  the  grandeur  of  our  Sabbath-School 
mission  work. 

May  joth,  Saturday. — I  set  out  in  the  early 
morning  for  the  Shortville  settlement,  with  the  in- 
tention of  spending  Saturday  and  Sabbath  there. 
A  flourishing  Sabbath-School  is  carried  on  here, 
attended  by  old  and  young.  I  found  the  people 
thirsting  for  frequent  preaching  service.  I  held  two 
services  on  the  Sabbath,  in  addition  to  the  Sabbath- 
School  service.  All  three  were  well  attended,  the 
town  hall  being  filled  each  time. 

The  simple  **  Gospel  of  Christ "  is  what  is  needed 


1 6  SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS    IN   WISCONSIN 

to  brighten  and  sweeten  the  Hves  and  homes  of  all 
these  people.  In  all  our  visitations  and  meetings  it 
is  delightful  to  see  the  joy  imparted  to  children, 
young  people,  and  parents.  As  a  help  to  the  work 
being  done,  I  have  sent  two  libraries  to  two  of 
these  Sabbath-Schools.  This  I  was  enabled  to  do 
by  gifts  from  Sabbath-Schools  and  churches  in 
Philadelphia  and  vicinity. 

This  is  the  record  of  five  days'  work  done  by  a 
Sabbath-School  missionary,  and  is  given  here  in 
order  that  a  proper  estimate  of  the  value  of  the  work 
may  be  formed,  that  your  love  for  it  may  be  deep- 
ened, and  out  of  love  you  may  be  willing  to  swell 
yet  higher  your  gifts  in  aid  of  this  Christlike  work. 
In  your  joyful  Children's  Day  services,  will  you  not 
crown  the  services  by  showing  in  a  worthy  form 
how  deep  your  "  compassion  "  is  for  these  *'  millions 
of  children  "  who  have  no  Sabbath-Schools  ? 


CHAPTER  III 

"THE  COMMON  PEOPLE  HEARD  HIM 

GLADLY." 

For  he  loveth  our  nation,  and  he  hath  built  us  a  synagogue. — 
Luke  7  .J. 

I.     "  They    all   sat   Down   on  the  Green 

Grass." 
II.     "  Come  and  See." 

III.  "  Despise  not  the  Day  of  Small  Things." 

IV.  From  House  to  House. 

V.     *'  Sheep  Having  no  Shepherd." 
VI.    *•  Without  God  and  Without  Hope." 
VII.     A    Sabbath-School    Institute    in    the 
Forest. 


I.      "  THEY  ALL  SAT  DOWN  ON  THE  GREEN  GRASS." 

August  ^th,  i8gi. — I  went  into  the  Dudley  Dis- 
trict, and  spent  three  days  in  Sabbath-School  mis- 
sion work.  Visited  and  encouraged  the  three  Sab- 
bath-Schools there.  I  held  two  meetings,  the  last 
one  was  crowded,  many  persons  coming  four,  five 
and  six  miles.  These  meetings  are  means  of  great 
good,  the  people,  without  a  "  shepherd,  being 
wearied  and  lying  down."  Here  another  missio7i 
Sabbath- School  chapel  is  about  to  be  built.     I  met 

17 


1 8  SABBATH-SCnOOL    MISSIONS    IN   WISCONSIN 

the  members  of  the  building  committee,  and  made 
arrangements  to  proceed  at  once.  The  people  of 
the  district  have  responded  nobly  to  the  building 
of  a  house  for  God.  They  want  it  finished  in  time 
to  be  dedicated  by  a  delegation  from  the  Winnebago 
Presbytery,  which  meets  on  the  8th  of  September, 
at  Merrill,  fifteen  miles  away.  The  chapel,  when 
finished,  will  be  deeded  to  the  trustees  of  one  of  the 
Presbyterian  churches  of  Merrill,  to  be  held  for  the 
people  of  the  district. 

On  Saturday,  the  8th  of  August,  I  made  my  way 
from  Wausau  to  the  Hartsville  District,  twelve 
miles  east.  I  was  accompanied  by  Mr.  Armstrong, 
one  of  our  student  missionaries,  our  purpose  being 
to  hold  a  series  of  meetings  in  the  new  Sabbath- 
School  mission  chapel,  preparatory  to  its  dedication 
by  the  Rev.  W.  O.  Carrier,  of  Wausau.  Although 
the  weather  was  hot,  the  three  meetings  held  on 
the  Sabbath,  in  addition  to  the  Sabbath-School 
service,  were  well  attended.  The  scattered  families 
came  together  with  joy  to  these  services  in  the  new 
chapel,  the  first  in  the  district. 

Monday  was  the  day  of  dedication — the  greatest 
ever  enjoyed  in  that  district.  Rev.  W.  O.  Carrier 
came  from  Wausau,  bringing  a  number  of  his  peo- 
ple to  help  in  the  exercises  of  the  day.  These  began 
a  little  after  eleven  o'clock,  and  were  conducted  by 
Mr.  Carrier,  who  preached  a  telling  sermon  on  the 
conversion  of  Zaccheus.  The  people  of  the  district 
were  out  in  great  numbers.     At  the  close  of  the 


■s. 
2 


O 

o 

X 
■s. 

X 

m 


"THE    COMMON    PEOPLE    HEARD    HIM    GLADLY  I9 

forenoon  service  a  scene  took  place  which  will  be 
long  remembered  by  all  present.  A  basket-lunch 
was  provided  by  the  people,  and  was  partaken  of  in 
a  grove  opposite  the  chapel,  right  across  the  Eau 
Claire  River.  Four  wagons  were  used  to  convey 
the  people  over  the  beautiful  stream.  This  was 
done  in  style  by  the  brave  men  of  these  forest 
homes,  amidst  much  laughter  and  excitement  on 
the  part  of  the  people,  who  were  jolted  from  side 
to  side  as  they  crossed  over.  All  were  conveyed 
safely  over  to  a  beautiful  and  shady  part  of  the 
forest,  where  "  tJiey  sat  down  on  the  greeji  grass" 
and  partook  of  a  plenteous  repast.  They  had  all 
things  in  common.  Such  a  scene  reminded  one  of 
the  early  Christian  times.     It  was  grand  ! 

After  two  o'clock,  the  company  was  moved  over 
the  river  again,  and  another  meeting  was  held.  At 
this  meeting  the  chapel  was  dedicated  to  God  by 
Mr.  Carrier,  assisted  by  Mr.  Joseph  Brown  and  Mr. 
Armstrong,  Sabbath-School  missionaries.  At  this 
service  baptism  was  administered  to  twelve  persons 
— six  adults  and  six  children. 

The  chapel  thus  erected  and  dedicated  was  the 
fruit  of  Sabbath- School  mission  work  by  the  Presby- 
terian Church,  and  fostered  by  the  pastor  and 
church  of  Wausau.  All  honor  to  them !  The 
building  is  twenty  feet  by  thirty  feet,  has  a  porch 
in  front,  and  contains  one  hundred  and  eight 
chairs ;  it  also  has  a  platform  and  desk,  and  is  com- 
plete in  every  way.     It  is  neat  in  appearance,  and 


20         SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS    IN   WISCONSIN 

will,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  be  a  means  of  blessing 
to  the  people.  The  total  cost,  ;$350.oo,  was  paid  for 
by  the  people,  assisted  by  the  Presbyterian  church 
of  Wausau  and  other  friends  of  Sabbath-School 
mission  work.     The  services   closed  for  the  day  at 

5  P.  M. 

Thus  ended  an  event  which  will  ever  be  sacred 
in  the  memory  of  all  who  were  present.  The  Rev. 
Mr.  Carrier  said  it  was  one  of  the  happiest  days  of 
his  life.  The  blessing  of  God  was  present  at  all  the 
services,  and  truly  every  one  could  say :  '<  It  was 
good  for  me  to  be  there." 

II.      "  COME   AND   SEE." 

April  ^thy  i8g2. — The  question  is  often  put 
"  What  good  is  coming  out  of  our  Sabbath-School 
Missionary  Work  ?  "  We  answer,  **  Come  and  see." 
Come  with  us  to  Norrie,  Wisconsin,  and  see  what 
is  being  done  there.  It  is  a  village,  amongst 
stumps,  with  a  population  of  about  two  hundred. 
There  is  a  Presbyterian  Sabbath-School  under  our 
care,  which,  superintended  by  Mrs.  Wilson,  has  been 
doing  good  work  these  two  years  past.  Three 
months  ago  a  Congregational  Church,  of  twenty-five 
members,  was  formed  and  placed  under  the  care 
of  the  pastor  of  the  church  at  Burnamwood,  a 
town  five  miles  distant. 

This  development  was  the  result  of  circumstances. 
"  What  God  has  joined  together  let  no  man  put 
asunder."     It  is  neither  possible  nor  desirable   to 


"THE   COMMON    PEOPLE   HEARD    HIM    GLADLY*'       21 

make  God's  working  conform  to  man's  planning. 
The  result  is  that  the  people  now  have  the  Chris- 
tian agency  of  the  Presbyterian  Sabbath-School 
and  the  Congregational  Church  combined  in  action. 
Two  weeks  ago  a  Young  People's  Society  of  Chris- 
tian Endeavor  was  formed,  with  a  membership  of 
over  thirty.  The  villagers  of  Norrie  are  now 
planning  to  build  a  house  of  God  to  place  beside 
the  little  schoolhouse  on  the  hill — a  church  and  a 
school,  religion  and  education,  twin  forces  in 
America's  civilization.  It  is  the  law  of  progress, 
that  *'  God  helps  those  who  help  themselves  to  get 
good."  Success  in  this  case  will  be  achieved  in 
the  near  future. 

III.      "  DESPISE  NOT  THE  DAY  OF  SMALL  THINGS." 

Again  we  say  to  all,  "  Come  and  see."  Come  with 
us  to  Shortville,  a  farming  district  in  Clark  County, 
nine  miles  from  Neillsville.  Three  years  ago  a 
Sabbath-School  was  organized  under  the  auspices 
of  our  Presbyterian  Board  of  Publication  and 
Sabbath-School  Work.  During  the  past  three 
years  it  has  been  carefully  fostered  by  frequent 
visits  and  services  by  us,  in  conjunction  with  the 
Presbyterian  pastor  of  the  church  of  Neillsville. 
The  school  has  been  blessed  by  a  faithful  and  able 
superintendent,  aided  by  willing  workers.  After  a 
series  of  six  services,  a  petition  was  presented  and 
signed  by  thirty  persons,  asking  the  Presbytery  of 
La  Crosse  to  form  them  into  a  church.     Arrange- 


22  SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS    IN    WISCONSIN 

ments  were  also  made  during  the  meeting  to  carry 
on  the  summer  session  of  the  Sabbath-School  with 
new  and  increased  life.  We  were  informed  that 
some  of  the  young  people  would  go  to  the  Canfield 
settlement  and  help  the  Sabbath-School  there. 
Thus  the  Lord  has  fulfilled  his  promise  and 
gladdened  our  hearts  with  the  blessing  which  has 
come  to  this  people.  It  may  with  truth  be  said, 
"  There  was  joy  in  Shortville  !  "  The  lives  of  the 
people  are  gradually  changing,  becoming  more 
Christian  in  every  way. 

Thus  God's  kingdom  is  being  advanced  in  the 
rural  districts  of  our  country.  This  fact  ought  to 
be  a  stimulus  to  all  interested  in  Sabbath-School 
mission  work. 


A  Presbyterian  church  has  since  been  formed. 
The  people  now  have  a  Sabbath-School,  service 
every  two  weeks,  and  a  weekly  prayer-meeting. 
They  are  preparing  to  build  a  house  for  the  worship 
of  God. 

IV.      FROM    HOUSE   TO    HOUSE. 

There  is  one  part  of  our  Sabbath-School  mis- 
sionary work  of  vast  importance  which  is  often  mis- 
understood or  altogether  overlooked,  viz.,  the  vis- 
itation from  house  to  house  in  scattered  districts. 
Success  in  this  line  of  work  is  grand  and  far-reach- 
ing in  its  results.  The  advent  of  the  Sabbath- 
School   missionary  into   a   district,  even  for  a  short 


"THE    COMMON    PEOPLE    HEARD    HIM    GLADLY  "       2$ 

season,  is  an  event  of  great  importance,  bringing 
new  agencies  and  influences  to  bear  upon  lives  hith- 
erto unfavorably  situated.  Going  from  "  house  to 
house  "  as  the  servant  of  Christ,  "  vi^ith  the  impress 
and  reflection  of  the  love  of  God  upon  his  own 
character,"  is,  in  every  case,  in  one  way  or  another, 
the  bringing  by  the  missionary  of  salvation  to  those 
homes. 

They  are  never  the  same  again ^  but  become  brighter 
and  better. 

Think  of  the  many  homes  where  the  missionary 
remains  over  night !  What  a  strange  and  hallowed 
experience  is  given  when  he  takes  his  Bible  and 
holds  family  worship  in  those  homes  for  the  first 
time.  Thus,  in  a  manner  we  cannot  describe,  the 
sweet  peace  of  God  rests  upon  these  families  at 
least  for  the  time  being.  Pray  for  us,  that  our  visits 
from  home  to  home  may  be  more  blessed  than  ever 
before. 

Having  begun  the  good  work  in  these  families,  it 
is  important  that  it  should  be  continued.  This  can 
be  done  through  the  agency  of  the  "  Post  Ofiice 
Mission."  This  we  have  been  doing  for  some  time 
past,  our  plan  being  to  place  the  names  of  families 
in  our  mission  field  in  charge  of  Christian  families, 
so  that  after  having  read  papers  in  their  own  homes 
they  can  send  them  to  these  needy  ones.  A  lady 
once  asked  us,  "  What  kind  of  literature  shall  we 
send  ?  "  and  was  answered  "  Whatever  has  done  the 
members  of  your  family  good  and  has  made  them 


24         SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS    IN   WISCONSIN 

brighter  and  better^  This  is  the  kind  to  send. 
These  weekly  packets  of  papers  for  old  and  young 
are  like  so  many  ''  life  lines "  thrown  out  to  the 
spiritually  destitute  families  amongst  whom  our 
Sabbath-School  missionaries  work,  seeking  to  save 

and  to  bless. 

By  this  means  a  spiritual  system  of  doing  good 
is  established  which  may  bring  a  rich  reward  to 
both  sender  and  receiver. 

V.   "  SHEEP  HAVING  NO  SHEPHERD." 

Each  month  I  spend  two  weeks  in  old  and  two 
weeks  in  new  fields. 

On  May  25th,  1892,  I  began  work  in  a  new  dis- 
trict, in  the  northwestern  part  of  Clark  County. 
My  work  for  the  two  weeks  took  in  a  tract  of  coun- 
try fairly  well  peopled  by  farmers.  It  contained 
six  public  schools,  five  of  which  had  a  large  number 
on  their  rolls.  At  this  time  I  found  only  one  Sab- 
bath-School, and  it  was  in  its  infancy.  No  regular 
service  in  the  English  language ;  only  an  occasional 
service  with  long  intervals  between.  I  began  my 
work  by  visiting  among  the  families,  seeking  to  do 
them  good  and  to  awaken  interest  in  behalf  of  Sab- 
bath-Schools. In  addition,  I  held  seven  meetings, 
all  of  which  were  well  attended  and  much  appre- 
ciated. In  shaking  hands  with  the  people,  at  the 
close  of  the  services,  a  number  of  the  mothers  ex- 
pressed gratitude  that  a  Sabbath-School  missionary 
had  found  them  out  and  was  willing  to  help  them. 


"  THE    COMMON    PEOPLE    HEARD    HIM    GLADLY  2$ 

Two  Sabbath- Schools  were  organized  and  taken 
under  our  care.  These,  and  the  district,  I  will  help 
all  I  can.  I  have  sent  a  library  of  fifty  books  to  one 
of  the  Sabbath-Schools.  When  I  left  the  people 
the  cry  was,  "  Don't  be  long  in  coming  back  again.'' 

VL   "  WITHOUT  GOD  AND  WITHOUT  HOPE." 

August  ^th,  i8g2. — I  went  to-day  for  the  first 
time  into  the  township  of  Hewittsville,  a  district 
which  has  been  peopled  for  the  past  twenty-five 
years.  The  settlers  are  mostly  Americans.  I  found 
on  my  visit  a  large  number  of  families,  all  of  them 
living  destitute  of  all  organized  Chris tiaft  agency. 
The  people  told  me  that  some  five  or  six  years  ago 
one  of  the  pastors  from  Neillsville  gave  them  an  oc- 
casional service,  but  that  was  stopped.  When  I 
visited  the  people  I  found  them  ready  to  admit  and 
deplore  their  sad  condition,  but  they  felt  helpless 
of  themselves.  They  gave  me  a  ready  welcome 
into  their  homes,  and  expressed  a  hearty  willingness 
to  accept  any  service  I  could  give  them.  Here  my 
first  duty  was  to  preach  the  gospel  and  give  them 
the  printed  Word.  The  first  service  was  given  in 
the  schoolhouse  on  August  7th,  and  was  well  at- 
tended and  much  appreciated.  I  arranged  to  give 
them  a  second  service  the  following  Sabbath  even- 
ing. After  that  I  hope  to  form  them  into  a  Sab- 
bath-School and  preaching  station.  By  this  means 
they  will  get  help  to  help  themselves.  I  will  give 
them   a    monthly  review  service;    this   I  shall   en- 


26         SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS   IN   WISCONSIN 

deavor  to  make  as  interesting  and  helpful  as  possible 
to  old  and  young.  This  is  a  small  beginning,  but 
we  have  faith  that  God  will  bless  this  effort  among 
people  so  needy.  Sometimes  a  single  spark  from  a 
passing  locomotive  sets  a  forest  or  a  prairie  on  fire. 
This  fact  in  the  material  world  is  typical  of  the 
spiritual.  Christian  friends,  these  dwellers  of 
Hewittsville  are  your  brothers  and  sisters,  having 
souls  to  be  saved  and  lives  to  be  made  Christlike. 


This  people  have  now  a  well-furnished  Sabbath- 
School  and  occasional  preaching  service,  for  which 
they  are  thankful. 

VII.      A   SABBATH-SCHOOL   INSTITUTE    IN   THE   FOREST. 

August  17th,  1892,  was  a  day  long  to  be  re- 
membered in  the  history  of  Dudley  and  Bloomville. 
On  that  day  a  beautiful  and  signal  manifestation 
was  given  of  the  good  that  is  being  done  by  the 
Sabbath-School  agency  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
through  its  Sabbath-School  missionaries.  Mr.  Gray, 
a  temporary  Sabbath- School  inissio7iary ,  did  good 
work  during  the  summer,  and  as  a  culmination  an 
all-day  service  was  held  on  the  17th,  when  an  au- 
dience of  300  people  came  from  their  distant  and 
scattered  homes  and  assembled  in  a  shady  grove 
in  the  woods.  The  services  of  the  day  began  at 
1 1  A.  M.,  and  a  sermon  was  preached  by  myself. 

After  this  service  dinner  was  served  to  the  people 
in  fine  style. 


"THE    COMMON    PEOPLE    HEARD    HIM    GLADLY "       2/ 

At  2:30  P.  M.  a  Sabbath- ScJiool  Institute  was 
held,  at  which  a  number  of  the  scholars  gave  read- 
ings, interspersed  with  singing  of  hymns.  After 
this,  sharp  and  pointed  addresses  were  given,  bear- 
ing upon  different  aspects  of  Sabbath-School  work, 
by  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Fords,  of  Merrill,  and  Messrs. 
Perin  and  Gray.  Mr.  Gray,  in  a  feeling  manner,  after 
expressing  the  pleasure  he  had  had  in  his  work, 
took  leave  of  the  people.  A  delegation  of  ladies 
and  gentlemen  was  present  from  Merrill,  who  joined 
heartily  in  the  services  with  the  people.  Everything 
in  connection  with  the  proceedings  of  the  day  was 
beautiful,  and  all  felt  that  the  blessing  of  God  had 
been  upon  them.  There  are  now  four  Sabbath- 
Schools  and  one  Sabbath- School  mission  church  in 
this  district. 


CHAPTER  IV 
ENCOURAGEMENTS 

Wherewithal  shall  a  young  man  cleanse  his  way?  by  taking 
heed  thereto  according  to  thy  word. — Fs.  iig :  g. 

I.  "  A  House  for  God  Built." 

n.  Lost  in  the  Woods. 

ni.  Memorizing  Passages  of  Scripture. 

IV.  "  By  Their  Fruits  Ye  Shall  Know  Them." 

V.  A  Thank-Offering. 

VI.  **  There  was  Great  Joy  in  That  District." 


I.      "  A    HOUSE    FOR    GOD   BUILT." 

September  ^th,  i8g2. — Last  Saturday  and  Sab- 
bath, September  3d  and  4th,  were  red-letter  days  in 
the  history  of  the  farmers  Hving  along  the  banks  of 
Eau  Plaine  River.  On  those  days  a  series  of  meet- 
ings were  held  in  connection  with  the  opening  and 
dedication  of  a  neat  and  commodious  Sabbath- 
School  mission  chapel^  twenty  by  thirty  feet.  All 
the  materials  used  in  the  erection  of  this  chapel 
were  kindly  provided  by  the  Sabbath-School  of  the 
North  Broad  Street  Presbyterian  Church,  of  Phila- 
delphia, which  gave  ;^  105 .00  for  that  purpose.  The 
people  of  the  settlement  did  the  work.  Some  days 
nine  men  were  to  be  seen  employed  on  it,  and  the 
28 


V;.' 


■'-# 


:  ■?^' 


'>U 


II 


**i>*:i 


«^.y»»-'^>y  *^^i»8i».w''S!*ifet«  -a-'t^feSt^   jw»A-V^«<* 


'J 


05 
O 

as 

a. 


ENCOURAGEMENTS  29 

day  before  these  services  the  mothers  turned  out  in 
force  to  give  it  some  finishing  touches  for  the  oc- 
casion. 

The  dedication  services  took  place  on  Sabbath,  at 
3  p.  M.,  when  every  seat  was  filled.  Some  of  those 
present  came  a  distance  of  six  miles.  I  was  assisted 
by  Rev.  J.  Bigger,  pastor  of  Colby.  At  this  service 
the  chapel  was  duly  named  "  The  Eau  Plaine  Harper 
Memorial  Sabbath-School  Mission  Chapel,"  this  by 
request  and  in  honor  of  the  donors.  A  thank-offer- 
ing to  our  Church's  Sabbath-School  Mission  Work, 
amounting  to  three  dollars  and  twenty-one  cents, 
was  taken  up.  Four  persons  were  baptized,  this 
being  the  first  service  of  the  kind  ever  administered 
in  the  district.  By  the  erection  of  this  chapel  the 
people  of  this  needy  locality  are  enabled  to  re-open 
their  Sabbath-School,  and  have  occasional  service, 
with  no  interference. 

As  a  fitting  crown  to  this  noble  work,  a  lady  be- 
longing to  the  Presbyterian  church  of  Bryn  Mawr, 
Pa.,  has  kindly  and  unexpectedly  promised  to  send  a 
new  organ,  which  will  be  placed  in  the  new  chapel 
as  soon  as  it  comes.  Thus  the  lives  of  these  people 
have  been  brightened  and  their  hearts  made  glad. 
Thus  it  is  that  Christ's  plan  is  being  accomplished. 

II.       LOST    IN   THE   WOODS. 

I  have  often  thought,  but  until  this  time  have 
never  expressed  it,  that  the  pioneer  Sabbath-School 
missionary  carries  on  his  Christlike  work  exposed 


30         SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS    IN   WISCONSIN 

to  many  hardships  and  dangers.  Such  servants  of 
Christ  do,  in  a  very  real  manner,  take  up  his  cross 
and  follow  him.  Their  work  demands  a  constant 
travel  along  roads  in  many  cases  bad,  or  along 
paths  in  the  woods  which  are,  in  many  cases,  diffi- 
cult to  follow.  This  they  do  in  all  kinds  of  weather, 
in  order  to  reach  out  to  those  families  and  districts 
where  no  other  person  goes. 

These  thoughts  have  been  suggested  as  a  fitting 
introduction  to  an  account  of  my  being  lost  in  the 
woods  of  Wisconsin.  This  experience  occurred 
on  Friday,  November  4th,  1892,  while  visiting  the 
families  in  the  Eau  Plaine  Sabbath-School  district. 
On  that  day  I  took  a  path  that  led  through  the  for- 
est, but  owing  to  some  change  which  had  been 
made,  I  failed  to  take  the  right  track,  and  in  my 
efforts  to  find  it  went  deeper  and  deeper  into  the 
forest,  until  at  last  I  found  that  /  zvas  completely 
lost.  I  felt  perplexed  at  this,  and,  in  addition,  a 
feeling  of  fear  seized  upon  me,  as  I  realized  that  I 
was  in  a  region  where  guns  were  sometimes  set  to 
kill  deer,  as  they  pass  along  these  solitary  regions. 
A  year  before,  a  man  was  shot  and  killed  by  a  gun 
so  set,  two  miles  from  this  very  place.  I  thought  of 
my  home  and  loved  ones.  How  near  and  yet  how 
far  they  seemed  !  In  my  extremity  I  lifted  up  my 
heart  to  God  like  Nehemiah,  and  took  courage,  and 
pushed  my  way  through  tangled  brush  and  over 
large  fallen  trees,  but  still  I  failed  to  come  to  an 
opening  in  the  forest.     Then  I  shouted  as  loudly  as 


ENCOURAGEMENTS  3^ 

possible,  "  Hello  !  "  This  is  the  lost  call  known  to 
the  people  living  in  these  regions.  This  I  continued 
to  do  every  now  and  again,  but  no  returning  call 
greeted  my  listening  ear.  At  last  I  reached  the 
banks  of  the  Eau  Plaine  River  and  felt  somewhat 
relieved.  I  followed  the  river  with  difficulty  until  I 
came  to  the  nearest  bridge  ;  then  my  anxieties  were 
at  an  end,  for  I  then  knew  where  I  was  and  could 
make  my  way  to  my  destination.  Upon  looking  at 
my  watch  I  found  that  I  had  been  wandering  for 
two  hours  in  the  forest,  nearly  all  that  time  perspir- 
ing profusely  through  anxiety  and  hard  traveling. 
A  hearty  reception  was  accorded  me  at  the  first 
house  I  visited.  There  I  rested  and  was  bountifully 
refreshed. 

III.       MEMORIZING    PASSAGES    OF   SCRIPTURE. 

September  14th,  i8g2. — One  of  the  instructions 
given  to  Sabbath-School  missionaries  is  to  this  effect, 
that  they  are  to  carry  on  their  work  in  close  con- 
tact with,  and  cordial  approval  of  the  pastors  of  the 
churches.  In  the  lines  of  these  instructions  I  have 
spent  the  past  few  days  in  a  most  profitable  manner, 
in  associated  labors,  in  work  arranged  for  by  the 
Rev.  J.  Wilson,  of  Oxford.  On  Thursday,  Sep- 
tember 8th,  a  Sabbath-School  Institute  was  held  in 
the  church  at  Oxford.  It  was  a  grand  success.  The 
service  be^an  at  10  A.  m.  and  was  largely  attended, 
the  audience  being  composed  of  people  from  all 
parts  of  the  district  for  a  radius  of  ten  miles.     The 


32  SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS    IN    WISCONSIN 

meeting  was  presided  over  by  Mr.  Wilson.  Ad- 
dresses were  delivered  on  themes  appropriate  to  the 
occasion  by  Rev.  Messrs.  Fisher,  Bain  and  Adams ; 
Mr.  Joseph  Brown,  Sabbath-School  missionary, 
and  Sabbath-School  superintendents  Robertson  and 
Dunn.  Mr.  Wilson's  conclusion  was  a  fine  sum- 
mary of  Sabbath-School  points.  Prayer  and  the 
singing  of  hymns  also  formed  an  important  part  of 
the  service.  In  the  afternoon  a  memory  lesson  class 
was  formed  for  the  purpose  of  testing  the  progress 
made  in  memorizing  passages  from  the  word  of 
God,  the  prize,  which  consisted  of  a  Bible  given  by 
Joseph  Brown,  was  awarded  to  Alexander  Wilson. 
At  dinner  time,  a  splendid  basket  dinner  was  pro- 
vided, to  which  all  were  invited ;  a  fine  opportunity 
was  thus  given  to  have  a  little  social  intercourse,  a 
point  of  great  importance.  The  meeting  closed  at 
5  p.  M.  Many  expressions  of  approval  were  heard, 
as  the  people  separated.  Truly  the  blessing  of  God 
was  present  at  all  the  meetings. 

On  Sabbath,  September  nth,  I  had  the  privilege, 
under  the  guidance  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Wilson,  to  visit 
and  address  two  out  of  his  three  Sabbath-Schools  ; 
and  in  addition,  I  gave  three  "  Gospel  Talks  "  in  each 
of  his  three  churches  where  his  widely  scattered 
people  meet.  Over  400  persons  were  reached  dur- 
ing the  day.  To  accomplish  this  a  distance  of 
twenty-two  miles  had  to  be  traveled.  Such  a  state- 
ment of  facts  will  give  an  idea  of  the  great  work 
done  in  many  of  our  country  districts.     Such  work 


ENCOURAGEMENTS  33 

partakes    of  the    noble  and   grand,  and   is   in  the 
highest  sense  ChristUke. 

IV.      "  BY   THEIR  FRUITS  YE  SHALL  KNOW  THEM." 

The  good  fruit  of  any  branch  of  Christian  work  is 
an  evidence  of  its  worth.  Thus  judged,  the  Sab- 
bath-School mission  work  of  our  Church  warmly 
commends  itself  to  our  hearty  support  and  prayers. 
Over  three  years  ago  a  Sabbath-School  and  mission 
station  was  commenced  in  a  needy  settlement  on 
the  banks  of  the  Eau  Claire  River,  twelve  miles  from 
Wausau.  The  work  has  been  continued,  and  a  Sab- 
bath-School mission  chapel  has  been  built  in  which 
the  school  is  held  and  the  gospel  frequently 
preached.  During  the  past  summer  three  grand 
all  day  services  were  held  at  intervals  of  a  few 
weeks.  To  all  of  these  meetings  the  people  came 
out  in  large  numbers  and  gave  good  heed  to  the 
truth  spoken.  At  each  of  the  meetings  the  Rev. 
W.  O  Carrier,  pastor  of  the  church  in  Wausau, 
preached  sound  gospel  sermons  and  Sabbath- 
School  missionaries  occupied  the  rest  of  the  time  in 
giving  addresses  bearing  upon  Sabbath-School  work 
and  Christian  character. 

At  all  these  meetings  great  good  was  done. 
Eleven  persons  were  baptized,  eight  of  whom  were 
adults,  who  thus  made  confession  of  their  faith  in 
Christ.  On  Sabbath,  the  9th  of  October,  1892, 
that  being  Rallying  Day  in  Mr.  Carrier's  church, 
twenty-five  persons  came  in  from  the  mission  sta- 


34         SABBATII-SCnOOL    MISSIONS    IN    WISCONSIN 

tion  in  order  to  be  present.  This  statement  presents 
a  fine  illustration  of  the  cooperative  character  of 
our  Sabbath-School  mission  work  and  the  blessed 
results  which  flow  from  it. 

V.      A   THANK-OFFERING. 

November  2jd,  iSgz. — A  few  days  ago,  when 
concluding  a  simple  gospel  address  in  a  country  dis- 
trict, I  asked  those  present  what  they  meant  to  do 
with  the  gospel  message,  which  had  been  given  to 
them  that  evening.  If  they  rejected  it,  then  the 
prayer  of  the  dying  Saviour  was  in  order — "  Father 
forgive  them  for  they  know  not  what  they  do." 
What  a  grievous  loss  it  is  for  families  to  be  reared 
without  the  benefits  and  comforts  of  applied  Chris- 
tianity ! 

Every  month  that  I  labor  as  a  Sabbath-School 
missionary  among  the  needy  and  scattered  families 
of  Northern  Wisconsin,  only  tends  to  deepen  my 
conviction  of  that  fact.  Last  month  I  visited  four- 
teen Sabbath-School  mission  districts ;  called  on 
one  hundred  families,  talked  kindly  to  them  and 
gave  them  books  and  tracts  ;  and  delivered  twenty- 
eight  addresses.  This  missionary  work,  like  all 
other  Christian  work,  meets  with  varied  receptions, 
but  in  no  case  is  it  in  vain.  "  Like  bread  cast  upon 
the  water  it  returns  after  many  days." 

As  an  illustration  of  this  truth,  let  me  state  the 
following :  When  waiting  in  a  country  depot  a  few 
days  ago  and  while  talking  to  a  farmer,  he  said  to 


ENCOURAGEMENTS  35 

me, "  Did  you  not  some  time  ago  give  a  talk  to  young 
people  in  the  district  of  Buffalo  ?  "  I  replied  that  I  did, 
my  subject  being  "  Samuel,  a  character  study."  He 
then  told  me  that  that  talk  had  done  his  son  much 
good  and  that  he  had  lived  a  better  life  ever  since. 
Truly  the  promises  of  God  are  all  yea  and  amen  in 
Christ  Jesus. 

Take  the  following  as  another  illustration.  One 
Sabbath  this  month,  when  halting  at  a  home,  after 
the  hour  of  service,  before  partaking  of  dinner,  I 
found  to  my  surprise  under  my  plate  a  small  bag  of 
money,  as  a  thank  offering  for  the  good  done  to  the 
people  of  that  community.  The  offering  amounted 
to  ^8.15.  The  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  still  sits  over 
his  treasury,  will  no  doubt  take  note  of  the  offering 
of  this  appreciative  people.  Christians,  pray  for 
this  work  that  it  may  continue  to  prosper. 

*•  Cast  thy  bread  upon  the  waters, 

You  who  have  abundant  store, 
It  may  float  on  many  a  billow, 

It  may  strand  on  many  a  shore ; 
You  may  think  it  lost  forever, 

But  as  sure  as  God  is  true, 
In  this  life  or  in  the  other, 

It  will  yet  return  to  you." 

VI.      "  THERE   WAS    GREAT   JOY    IN  THAT  DISTRICT." 

December  22d,  i8g2. — On   Tuesday  evening  of 
this    week  an   important  event  took  place  in  the 

Harper  Riverside  Sabbath-School  Mission  Chapel 

a  Presbyterian  church  was  orga7tized  by  the  Rev. 


36         SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS    IN   WISCONSIN 

E.  P.  Rankine,  from  Stevens  Point,  acting  in  behalf 
of  the  Presbytery  of  Winnebago,  assisted  by  Mr. 
Joseph  Brown,  Sabbath-School  missionary.  Twelve 
persons  were  enrolled  as  members,  and  a  number  of 
others  are  expected  to  do  so  at  an  early  date.  It 
may  with  truth  be  said  "  there  was  great  joy  in  that 
district "  that  night. 

The  following  is  a  record  of  what  was  then  done, 
which  is  of  interest.  After  an  appropriate  sermon 
by  Mr.  Rankine,  the  following  was  submitted  and 
agreed  to : 

Confession  of  Faith. 

We,  the  undersigned,  desiring  to  be  organized 
into  a  Presbyterian  church  in  connection  with  the 
Presbytery  of  Winnebago,  subscribe  the  following 
confession  of  faith  and  covenant : — 

1.  We  beheve  in  one  only  living  and  true  God, 
the  P'ather,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Spirit. 

2.  We  believe  in  the  Bible  as  the  Word  of  God 
given  to  make  wise  unto  salvation. 

3.  We  believe  that  we  are  sinners  against  God, 
and,  as  such,  deserving  of  his  righteous  judgment. 

4.  We  believe  in  Jesus  Christ  as  the  God-pro- 
vided Saviour  of  sinners. 

5.  We  believe  in  the  necessity  of  the  renewing 
and  sanctifying  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 

6.  We  believe  in  the  resurrection  of  the  dead  and 
in  a  general  judgment.  We  therefore  enter  into  the 
following 


ENCOURAGEMENTS  yj 

Covenant  : — 

1.  We  take  this  God — the  Father — to  be  our 
Father,  the  Son  to  be  our  Saviour,  and  the  Holy 
Spirit  to  be  our  sanctifier  and  guide.  And  we  take 
the  Holy  Scriptures  to  be  the  rule  of  our  faith 
and  conduct. 

2.  As  far  as  we  know  our  own  hearts  we  repent 
of  all  our  sins  and  desire  to  be  delivered  from  all 
sin. 

3.  We  engage  as  members  of  this  church  to  do 
our  part  as  God  shall  give  us  light  in  all  the  work  of 
the  church  and  to  Hve  in  Christian  affection  with  its 
members. 

4.  In  order  to  maintain  our  Christian  life,  we  en- 
gage to  practice  conscientiously  the  duties  of  prayer 
and  Bible  reading,  and  Christian  fellowship  espe- 
cially, seeking  to  use  the  hours  of  the  Lord's  day  for 
these  purposes. 

All  these  we  will  strive  to  do,  through  the  grace 
of  God  helping  us,  until  death. 


CHAPTER  V 
WIDE-SPREAD  INTEREST 

But  when  he  saw  the  multitudes,  he  was  moved  with  compassion 
on  them,  because  they  fainted,  and  were  scattered  abroad,  as  sheep 
having  no  shepherd. — Matt,  g  :j6. 

I.  The  Schools  That  Die. 

li.  Prayers  Answered. 

III.  Inasmuch. 

IV.  Children's  Services. 
V.  "  Don't  Give  up  Hope." 

VI.     "  These  Meetings  do  Us  All  Good." 
VII.     Summer  Work. 
VIII.     Dedication  of  the  Chapel  at  Short- 

VILLE. 

IX.     Developments  at  Dell's  Dam. 
X.     Institute  at  Little  River. 


I.  the  schools  that  die. 
Marshfield,  Wis.,  March  ii,  i8gj. — As  I  sat  in 
my  home,  hemmed  in  for  a  few  days  by  the  severity 
of  the  weather,  I  read  with  much  interest  Dr. 
Worden's  newly  issued  "  Drill  for  Children's  Day, 
June  II,  1893."  There  is  one  sentence  in  that 
drill  that  I  want  to  take  and  make  a  text  of.  The 
sentence  is  this :  "  The   other  third  die  on  account 

38 


WIDE-SPREAD    INTEREST  39 

of  unfavorable  surroundings."     Now,  what  are  the 
facts  in  such  cases  ?     While  it  may  be  true  that  the 
Sabbath-Schools,   in  their  public  organized    form, 
may  have  ceased  their  work,  it  does  not  mean  that  all 
the  high  and  holy  influences  that  these  schools  set  in 
motion  have  ceased  to  be.     Even  the  short  life  of 
each  of  these  has  scattered  religious  and  moral  germs 
into  every  home  and  into  every  heart  of  the  dis- 
trict and  who  can  tell  how  many  hearts  these  germs 
of    Christian   truth    may   lead  to   a   Christian  Hfe. 
What  is  called  death  in  the  physical  world  is  not 
annihilation,  it  is  only  a  change  of  conditions.     If 
that  is  so   in  the  physical  world   can  we  for  one 
moment  expect  a  less  beneficent  law  to  rule  in  the 

spiritual  ? 

"Unfavorable  surroundings"  are  given  as  the 
cause  of  the  death  of  these  Sabbath-Schools.  Often 
and  suddenly  these  conditions  are  changed,  and,  as 
a  result,  these  schools  are  resumed  in  a  more  fruit- 
ful form.  This  is  well  illustrated  by  the  experience 
of  the  Dell's  Dam  Sabbath-School,  which  was  closed 
for  a  season  on  account  of  "  unfavorable  surround- 
ings." Some  time  after,  a  Christian  family  moved 
into  the  neighborhood.  The  mother,  a  noble  fol- 
lower of  Christ,  declared  that  if  a  Sabbath-School 
could  not  live  there  neither  could  they.  The  school 
was  at  once  resumed,  although  it  was  midwinter. 
I  was  appealed  to  for  help,  in  the  shape  of  papers, 
which  I  gladly  supplied.  Other  illustrations  of  the 
same  kind  might  be  given. 


40  SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS    IN   WISCONSIN 

Another  point  I  want  to  make  here,  is  this : 
In  the  organization  of  every  Sabbath-School  the 
Sabbath-School  missionary  makes  the  personal  ac- 
quaintance of  the  families  in  the  district.  This,  on 
the  part  of  the  missionary,  means  much  ;  aiming 
as  he  does  at  the  salvation  of  souls,  acquaintance 
ripens  into  friendship,  which  opens  up  the  way 
for  doing  good  in  many  forms.  Through  the  ef- 
forts of  the  missionary,  scores  of  families  have 
received  and  are  receiving  Bibles,  books,  tracts,  and 
weekly  packets  of  suitable  Christian  reading,  sent  by 
the  members  of  our  different  churches.  There  is 
no  failure  in  any  work  done  in  faith  for  Christ. 

II.       PRAYERS  ANSWERED. 

April  1st,  i8gj. — Prayer  is  a  duty  often  pressed 
home  on  the  heart  of  the  Sabbath-School  mission- 
ary as  he  begins  his  great  work,  with  few  workers. 
God's  answers  to  such  prayer  come  in  various 
ways,  and  when  they  do  come,  it  is  but  right  that 
they  should  be  made  known.  A  wonderful  answer 
to  such  prayers  has  come  to  the  Sabbath-School  and 
district  of  Dell's  Dam.  The  work  begun  there  some 
three  years  ago,  was  not  as  prosperous  as  we  longed 
for,  owing  to  the  want  of  suitable  workers.  But 
that  is  now  changed.  Last  fall  a  Christian  family 
of  the  right  kind  and  full  of  the  spirit  of  Christian 
work  came  to  settle  in  the  district.  The  Sabbath- 
School  was  opened  on  the  first  Sabbath  in  January, 
and  has  been  carried  on  with  vigor  and  success  not- 


u 

< 

a 
a 

z 

a 

< 

Q 

J 
J 


WIDE-SPREAD   INTEREST  4 1 

withstanding  the  deep  snow.     The  average  attend- 
ance was  thirty. 

I  visited  the  district  this  week  and  saw  the  good- 
ness of  the  Lord.  I  held  a  service,  the  school- 
house  being  filled.  The  service  seemed  to  be  a  de- 
light to  all,  old  and  young.  This  new  style  of  liv- 
ing has  given  birth  to  new  tastes  and  new  wants. 
This  I  found  in  my  visitations  among  the  families. 
One  lady  teacher  gave  me  an  order  for  seven  Testa- 
ments, these  to  be  given  to  her  class.  One  man, 
the  father  of  a  family,  wanted  a  Bible  of  large  type, 
with  references  in  it.  Another  family  wanted  a 
book  of  "  select  readings  "  suited  to  the  new  con- 
dition of  things  ;  and,  most  important  of  all,  a 
strong  request  was  made  for  more  frequent  preach- 
ing of  the  gospel.  I  promised  to  help  all  I  could. 
I  will  try  and  give  them  services  at  least  once  a 
month,  until  more  help  can  be  given.  They  gave 
$l.2j  as  a  thank-offering.  Knowing  their  circum- 
stances as  I  do,  it  looks  as  if  this  gift  was  worthy 
of  a  place  in  the  roll  of  the  "  widow's  mite." 

III.       INASMUCH. 

April  22y  i8gj. — On  Saturday  last  I  left  my 
home  for  a  mission  tour  in  Lincoln  County.  Spent 
the  Sabbath  at  Merrill  where  I  gave  several  talks  to 
the  Sabbath-School  and  people.  Early  on  Monday 
morning  I  set  out  to  make  my  way  to  the  Bloom- 
ville  and  Dudley  Districts.  The  distance  was  fifteen 
miles    along   a   road  which   in  places   was   simply 


42  SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS    IN   WISCONSIN 

awful,  so  deep  was  the  mud,  but  a  careful  driver 
and  two  good  horses,  got  us  safely  through.  I 
found  my  visit  was  made  a  little  too  early  in 
the  season  as  the  roads  had  not  settled ;  my  visi- 
tations therefore  "  from  house  to  house "  had  to 
be  made  under  difficulties  as  the  roads  were  in 
many  places  deep  with  mud  and  water.  But  I 
struggled  through  a  portion  of  the  district  and 
held  two  meetings  on  different  evenings  for  the 
purpose  of  stimulating  the  people  to  renewed  activ- 
ity in  Sabbath-School  work  during  the  coming 
spring  and  summer.  I  was  pleased  to  learn  that 
three  of  the  Sabbath-Schools  had  been  carried  on 
during  the  winter  with  varying  success.  Such  dis- 
tricts, so  isolated  and  possessed  of  so  few  Christian 
workers,  need  in  a  very  special  degree,  all  the 
"  prayers  and  help "  that  more  favored  Christian 
people  can  give  them.  The  Presbyterian  Sabbath- 
School  mission  agency  has  done  not  a  little  to  help 
along  in  these  lines,  for  which  the  people  feel  grateful. 
In  this  district  there  are  upwards  of  sixty  fami- 
lies located.  The  only  means  of  grace  that  has  as 
yet  reached  them  consists  of  the  Sabbath-School, 
and  the  occasional  services  given  by  the  Sabbath- 
School  missionary,  or  some  servant  of  God  who 
may  happen  to  pass  that  way.  In  nearly  all  the 
homes  good  religious  reading  is  to  be  found,  much 
of  which  we  have  supplied.  All  these  things  form  so 
many  "  life  lines  "  that  have  been  thrown  out  to  these 
people  as  brethren  "  whom  some  one  should  save." 


WIDE-SPREAD   INTEREST  43 

Among  the  families  that  rejoiced  in  blessings  re- 
ceived, was  one  that  had  been  benefited  in  many 
ways,  and  came  to  express  thanks.  The  four 
motherless  girls  of  this  family  are  now  in  close  con- 
tact with  a  class  of  twelve  girls  in  Philadelphia; 
each  member  of  the  class  sends  a  weekly  letter  to 
these  girls  whom  they  have  never  seen,  and  whose 
lives  in  their  little  log  cabin  have  been  brightened 
and  made  better  in  many  ways.  All  this  I  can 
testify  to,  having  known  them  before  and  after  the 
inflow  of  this  tide  of  better  things.  Oh !  the  lux- 
ury of  the  blessing,  that  must  come  to  them  that  do 
good,  near  or  far,  in  Jesus'  name. 

«'  Inasmuch  as  ye  did  it  unto  the  least  of  these  ye  did  it  unto 


me." 


IV.     children's  services. 

Marshfield,  Wis.,  June  28th,  i8gj. — The  month 
of  June  is  generally  considered  the  prettiest  month 
of  the  year.  It  is  appropriate,  therefore,  that  Chil- 
dren's Day  should  be  held  in  that  month.  One  of 
the  great  objects  of  these  services  is  to  make  chil- 
dren happy  by  helping  children  less  favored  than 
themselves.  They  do  this  by  providing  money  to 
send  out  Sabbath-School  missionaries  to  organize 
and  encourage  Sabbath-Schools  in  spiritually  desti- 
tute regions. 

During  the  present  month,  I  have  had  the  pleas- 
ure of  presiding  over  four  Children's  Day  services. 
All   of  these  were  looked   forward  to,  by  old  and 


44  SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS   IN    WISCONSIN 

young,  with  absorbing  interest,  and  in  consequence, 
the  attendance  was  large,  over  one  thousand  per- 
sons being  present  at  the  four  gatherings.  The 
good  work  done  was  encouraging,  giving  tangible 
evidence  of  the  benefits  arising  from  Sabbath-School 
mission  work — these  schools  themselves  being  the 
fruit  of  such  work.  To  show  how  good  repeats  it- 
self, the  schools  gave  thirty  dollars  to  the  funds  of 
our  Board,  to  assist  in  sending  out  missionaries  to 
organize  other  schools.  Knowing  as  I  do  the  cir- 
cumstances of  these  children,  this  contribution  was 
encouraging  in  the  highest  degree.  At  each  of 
these  places,  in  concluding  the  services,  I  took  oc- 
casion to  test  the  children  on  their  knowledge  of 
the  Bible,  and  was  much  pleased  at  the  answers 
given.  This  was  a  fine  commendation  of  the  value 
of  the  work.  As  I  scanned  the  faces  of  the  parents, 
I  saw  how  pleased  they  were  to  have  their  children 
taking  part  in  such  services.  Here,  as  in  other 
things,  success  leads  to  success.  By  doing  good 
work,  the  way  is  opened  to  do  better.  We  thank 
God,  take  courage,  and  go  forward. 

v.      "don't    GIVE   UP   HOPE." 

July,  i8gj. — I  spent  last  week  in  a  new  district, 
mostly  in  Waushara  County,  which  has  a  population 
of  over  thirteen  thousand.  On  Tuesday  last  I  visited 
in  Plainfield  Township.  There  I  came  across  a  con- 
dition of  things  which  made  my  heart  sad,  many 
families   being  submerged  in  a  condition  of  com- 


WIDE-SPREAD    INTEREST  45 

plete  forgetfulness  of  God,  of  his  day,  and  of  his 
ordinances,  and  the  children  growing  up  widiout 
the  benefits  of  any  Christian  training.  I  selected  a 
district  and  visited  all  the  families,  sixteen  in  num- 
ber. I  sought  to  get  acquainted  with  the  people 
and  to  help  them  with  the  means  at  my  disposal. 
The  people  were  ready  to  admit  their  conditions 
were  bad,  both  for  their  children  and  themselves ; 
and  a  feeling  of  hopelessness,  as  to  anything  better, 
seemed  to  possess  them.  I  told  them  not  to  give 
up  hope ;  that  I  had  come  for  the  purpose  of  help- 
ing them  to  help  themselves  to  have  the  benefits  of 
a  Sabbath-School  and  an  occasional  preaching 
service.  They  seemed  to  think  that  I  had  under- 
taken a  difficult  work.  But,  with  faith  in  God,  I 
resolved  to  try.  A  meeting  was  arranged  for  in  the 
evening,  to  be  held  in  the  schoolhouse  near  by.  It 
certainly  was  a  work  of  faith,  and  the  mountains  of 
difficulty  were  removed.  A  good  meeting  was 
•held,  and  a  Sabbath-School  was  organized  and 
placed  under  the  care  of  a  lady,  who  was  one  of  the 
few  in  the  district  who  had  any  church  connection. 
At  the  earnest  request  of  the  people,  I  held  another 
service  for  them  on  the  evening  of  the  15th  of  July. 

VI.      "  THESE  MEETINGS  DO  US  ALL  GOOD." 

Marshfield,  Wis.y  August  2jd,  iSgj. — One  prom- 
inent feature  of  our  past  month's  work  has  been  the 
local  Sabbath-School  Institutes  which  have  been 
held  in  different  portions  of  our  field.     There  have 


46         SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS   IN   WISCONSIN 

been  four  such  gatherings,  at  which  nineteen  Sab- 
bath-Schools were  represented,  drawn  from  a  wide 
region  of  country.  At  these  meetings,  two  or 
three  ministers  of  our  church  were  present  and  took 
part,  in  addition  to  the  superintendents  and  Sab- 
bath-School missionaries.  The  number  of  people 
in  attendance  was  large,  reaching  to  between  two 
and  three  hundred.  The  meetings  lasted  the  entire 
day  and  were  devoted  to  the  interests  of  Sabbath- 
School  work  in  one  form  or  another,  and  these 
were  presented  in  such  a  manner  as  to  be  interest- 
ing and  helpful  to  all.  In  addition  to  sermons, 
there  were  short  and  snappy  addresses  bearing  upon 
several  phases  of  Sabbath-School  work. 

A  Bible  memory  contest  was  held,  and  prizes 
awarded.  These  competitions  were  attended  with 
good  results,  as  they  awakened  great  interest  in  this 
branch  of  our  work. 

Altogether,  the  good  done  by  these  meetings  is 
very  great,  deepening  and  rendering  permanent  the 
Sabbath-School  work  begun  in  each  district.  These 
meetings  do  good  in  bringing  the  people  together 
in  a  new  relation  and  they  help  to  develop  the 
longing  for  all  that  is  good  and  true.  When  such 
gatherings  come  to  a  close,  these  words  are  often 
heard :  "  These  meetings  do  us  all  good." 

VII.       SUMMER    WORK. 

Marshfield,  Wis.,  September  6th,  i8gj. — At  the 
spring  meeting  of  the  Winnebago  Presbytery,  it  was 


WIDE-SPREAD    INTEREST  4/ 

agreed  to  ask  for  the  services  of  four  summer  Sab- 
bath-School missionaries,  to  be  placed  by  me  in 
such  parts  of  the  field  as  seemed  best — this  to  meet 
with  the  approval  of  the  chairman  of  the  Presby- 
tery's Sabbath-School  Committee.  I  met  the 
young  men  as  they  came  to  begin  their  work,  and 
instructed  them  as  best  I  could.  In  each  case  I 
directed  them  to  carry  on  their  work  in  close  con- 
tact with  the  different  pastors  near  their  fields  of 
labor.  From  the  knowledge  already  in  my  posses- 
sion of  the  work  done  by  these  students,  it  does 
seem  that  a  grand  work  was  accomplished  by  them. 
A  fair  number  of  Sabbath-Schools  were  organized 
and  reorganized,  families  were  visited,  and  numer- 
ous districts  brought  into  contact  with  the  word 
preached,  as  well  as  in  printed  form.  I  am  pleased 
to  know  that  many  of  the  pastors  bear  testimony 
to  the  good  work  done.  The  numerous  Sabbath- 
School  Institutes  that  have  been  held  in  each  of  the 
districts,  have  given  evidence  of  the  blessed  char- 
acter of  the  work  of  these  students.  It  has  im- 
proved whole  districts. 

In  addition  to  these  young  men,  Mr.  Mack,  a 
worthy  elder  from  the  state  of  New  York,  was 
commissioned  and  placed  in  this  Presbytery  early 
in  the  summer.  His  work  has  commended  itself, 
and  has  been  much  blessed. 

VIII.       DEDICATION    OF    THE    CHAPEL    AT    SHORTVILLE. 

Marshfield,   Wis.,  October  2jd,  i8gj. — The  past 


48  SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS    IN   WISCONSIN 

week  has  been  made  memorable  by  the  work  which 
has  been  done  in  connection  with  Sabbath-School 
missions.  Two  chapels  have  been  dedicated  and 
arrangements  made  for  a  similar  service,  on  the  1 8th 
and  19th  of  November,  at  Dell's  Dam. 

On  Tuesday,  October  17th,  the  chapel  at  Short- 
ville  was  dedicated.  On  that  occasion  three  services 
were  held,  all  of  which  were  well  attended  and 
much  appreciated.  All  who  attended  were  kindly 
entertained  at  dinner  by  the  people  of  the  settle- 
ment. It  was  truly  a  love  feast.  P'ive  ministers 
and  two  Sabbath-School  missionaries  took  part  in 
the  day's  services.  The  people  of  this  settlement 
were  grandly  helped  by  the  ladies  of  Arch  Street 
Presbyterian  Church,  Philadelphia,  who  gave  the 
sum  of  ^100.00.  A  pulpit  Bible  came  from  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Sabbath-School  of  the  same  church. 
The  sum  of  ^15.00  was  given  by  the  Wenonah 
Sabbath-School  of  New  Jersey,  to  aid  in  purchas- 
ing chairs.  In  recognition  of  this  kindness,  the 
chapel  was  named,  "  The  Arch  Street  Shortville 
Church."  The  dedicatory  sermon  was  preached  by 
Rev.  Rollo  Branch,  of  Marshfield. 

On  Saturday  and  Sunday,  October  21st  and 
22d,  dedicatory  services  were  held  in  connection 
with  the  chapel  at  Trapp  City.  Two  ministers  and 
two  Sabbath-School  missionaries  took  part  in  the 
services.  On  Saturday,  the  dedicatory  sermon  was 
preached  by  Rev.  W.  O.  Carrier,  of  Wausau,  assisted 
by  Rev.  James  Ford,  of  Merrill.    Here  also  the  peo- 


WIDE-SPREAD    INTEREST  49 

pie  attending  these  services  were  kindly  entertained 
at  dinner  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  settlement.  En- 
couraging help  was  given  to  this  district  by  one  of 
the  devoted  elders  of  the  North  Broad  Street  Presby- 
terian Church,  Philadelphia,  who  donated  ^loo.oo. 
Aid  was  also  rendered  by  some  of  the  members 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Wausau.  By  this 
timely  assistance,  the  people  were  enabled  to  erect 
their  chapel  in  one  of  the  most  needy  districts  of 
the  mission  field.  The  services  were  continued 
throughout  the  Sabbath  by  Messrs.  Brown  and 
Mack,  Sabbath-School  missionaries.  Officers  for 
the  Sabbath-School  were  elected  and  everything  put 
in  good  shape  for  work.  These  chapels,  completed, 
cost  ^400.00.  They  are  sufficient  for  the  purpose 
and  will  be  the  means  of  great  spiritual  good  to  the 
people  of  the  various  settlements  for  years  to  come. 
May  God  bless  all  coming  work  which  shall  be 
done  in  these  Sabbath-School  mission  chapels ! 

IX.      DEVELOPMENTS  AT  DELL's  DAM. 

Marshfield^  Wis.,  November  21st,  18 gj. — The 
laying  of  the  foundation  stone  of  the  "  Ox- 
ford" Dell's  Dam  Sabbath-School  Mission  Chapel, 
is  worthy  of  being  recorded.  This  was  an  event 
that  awakened  the  deepest  interest  among  the  fami- 
lies of  the  district ;  all  turned  out,  dressed  in  their 
best.  The  people  formed  in  procession  and  walked 
to  the  church  in  the  following  order :  Sabbath- 
School  scholars  first,  led  by  the  superintendent,  ac- 


$0         SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS    IN   WISCONSIN 

companied  by  Mr.  Oakley,  an  elder  of  the  Presby- 
terian church,  of  Neillsville,  and  myself;  and  then 
came  the  fathers  and  mothers.  Truly  it  was  a  sight 
to  behold,  and  one  well  fitted  to  awaken  hopeful 
thoughts  of  a  far-reaching  nature.  It  might  well  be 
classed  as  one  of  those  scenes  calculated  to  awaken 
interest  even  among  the  "  Angelic  host."  Suitable 
services  occupied  the  day,  two  hours  being  set  aside 
for  dinner  and  social  intercourse ;  the  latter  being 
an  important  element  for  good  at  all  such  meetings, 
giving  reality  to  the  idea  ofa  Christian  brotherhood. 
This  people  have  done  well,  having  out  of  their 
small  means,  subscribed  ^300.00  for  the  church. 
Grand  help  came  to  them  from  the  children  and 
young  people  of  the  Oxford  Presbyterian  Church, 
Philadelphia,  they  having  given  ;^  100.00,  and  an 
organ.  They  also  promised  to  send  one  hundred 
books  for  the  library.  For  all  this  the  people  feel 
glad  and  thankful. 

November  i8th  and  19th,  1893,  were  days  which 
will  be  memorable  to  the  people  in  the  district  of 
Dell's  Dam,  for  on  these  days  the  dedication  of  the 
new  chapel  took  place.  The  weather  was  all  that 
could  be  desired.  The  services  were  well  attended 
and  much  appreciated,  and  were  conducted  by  Rev. 
T.  C.  Hill  and  Mr.  Oakley,  both  of  Neillsville,  as- 
sisted by  Joseph  Brown,  Sabbath-School  missionary. 
Mrs.  McAdams  and  Mrs.  Oakley,  also  from  Neills- 
ville, took  charge  of  the  musical  part  of  the  pro- 
gramme, and  delighted  the  people  with  sweet  strains 


WIDE-SPREAD    INTEREST  5  I 

from  the  organ  which  had  been  so  kindly  presented 
to  them. 

On  Saturday  the  people  were  entertained  at  a 
sumptuous  dinner  provided  by  the  good  housewives 
of  the  district. 

The  chapel,  which  is  neat  and  well  finished  and 
which  is  capable  of  accommodating  above  one 
hundred  persons,  cost  ^404.00. 

It  was  intimated  that  the  Sabbath-School  of  We- 
nonah.  New  Jersey,  would  present  the  chapel  with 
sixty  chairs.  Hearty  votes  of  thanks  were  accorded 
to  these  kind  friends,  and  to  all  others  who  had  in 
any  way  given  aid. 

This  chapel  is  the  seventh  that  has  been  erected 
in  the  needy  fields  of  this  state  under  the  auspices 
of  the  Presbyterian  Board  of  Publication  and  Sab- 
bath-School Work  within  five  years.  These  form 
the  entering  wedge  which  will  lift  the  people  to  a 
higher  and  happier  life,  and  supply  important  ob- 
ject lessons  in  illustrating  how  Sabbath-School 
work  is  being  made  successful  and  permanent. 

X.       INSTITUTE  AT  LITTLE  RIVER. 

Marshfieldy  Wis.,  December,  18 gj, — The  hearts 
of  the  people  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  town 
and  country  are  beating  in  Christlike  sympathy  for 
Sabbath-School  missions. 

We  make  this  statement  because  of  what  we  have 
seen  and  heard. 

On  three  successive  Sabbath  evenings,  after  doing 


52         SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS    IN   WISCONSIN 

missionary  work  in  the  regions  around  I  was  privi- 
leged to  address  the  following  churches,  Poynette, 
Fort  Howard  and  Oconto.  In  each  of  these  I  found 
the  pastors  and  members  in  hearty  accord  with  our 
Christlike  work. 

Four  weeks  ago,  I  made  a  profitable  visit  to  Mr. 
James  Bain,  the  Sabbath-School  missionary  for 
Madison  Presbytery.  I  went  over  some  of  the  fields 
of  work  opened  by  him,  and  in  each  place  found 
that  the  work  done  was  grand  and  hopeful. 

Notwithstanding  a  blinding  snowstorm,  which 
took  place  during  the  time  of  my  visit,  the  people 
came  out  in  goodly  numbers  and  filled  up  the  little 
schoolhouses  where  the  meetings  were  held.  In 
every  place  I  found  evidences  of  good  work  being 
done. 

On  Saturday,  December  2d,  the  last  Sabbath- 
School  Institute  for  the  year  was  held  at  Little 
River,  in  the  County  of  Oconto.  The  arrangements 
for  this  meeting  were  made  under  the  direction  of 
Brother  Bossard,  pastor  of  Oconto  church,  and 
Brother  Very,  home  missionary  for  the  districts  of 
Styles  and  Little  River.  The  institute  was  a  grand 
success.  Although  the  snow  was  ten  inches  deep, 
the  families  of  the  settlement  turned  out  in  goodly 
numbers  ;  there  was  also  a  delegation  of  twenty-five 
noble  hearted  ladies  from  Oconto  to  aid  in  the  serv- 
ices of  the  day.  The  papers  and  addresses  were 
excellent,  and  brimful  of  suggestions  helpful  in  Sab- 
*bath-School  work.     The   institute  closed  with  the 


WIDE-SPREAD    INTEREST  53 

usual  Scripture  memory  class,  under  the  guidance  of 
Joseph  Brown,  Sabbath-School  missionary.  The 
appreciation  of  the  people  was  such  that  it  was 
ac^reed  to  hold  another  institute  next  June. 


CHAPTER  VI 
GATHER  THEM  IN 

And  the  Lord  said  unto  the  servant,  Go  out  into  the  highways 
and  hedges,  and  compel  them  to  come  in,  that  my  house  may  be 
filled. — Luke  14  :  2j. 

I.     A  Great  Change. 
H.     Scotland  Interested. 
III.     One  Week's  Work  for  the  Master. 


I.     A  great  change. 

April  ^thy  iSg/j.. — On  my  way  to  visit  Hewitts- 
ville,  I  met  Rev.  Mr.  Hill,  the  new  pastor  of  Neills- 
ville,  who  accompanied  me  in  order  to  see  the 
needs  of  the  field.  We  visited  fourteen  famiHes  and 
arranged  for  a  meeting.  Fifty  people  assembled, 
coming  from  homes  far  and  scattered.  The  visit- 
ing pastor  was  astonished  and  impressed  at  the 
sight.  The  meeting  was  a  stirring  one,  all  appar- 
ently feeling  that  it  was  good  for  them  to  be  there. 
While  taking  supper  in  one  of  the  homes,  the  father 
of  the  family  remarked :  "  Before  this  Sabbath-School 
work  began  we  played  cards  all  the  Sabbath  day, 
but  now  all  this  is  changed  and  we  all  try  to  spend 
the  day  as  God  commanded  it  should  be  spent." 

April  2jth. — I  visited  Stratford  to-day  for  the  first 

54 


Gather  them  in  55 

time.  This  is  a  new  center  of  habitation  about 
fourteen  miles  from  Marshfield.  Here  are  a  saw- 
mill, a  boarding  house,  fourteen  homes,  a  fine  new 
schoolhouse,  and,  sad  to  say,  three  saloons.  I 
called  upon  the  school  board  and  obtained  permis- 
sion to  hold  service  in  the  schoolroom.  I  visited 
all  the  homes,  leaving  reading  material  and  inviting 
the  inmates  to  attend  the  meeting.  A  good  and  at- 
tentive audience  assembled.  At  the  end  of  the 
service,  a  Sabbath-School  was  organized.  The 
majority  of  the  people  are  connected  with  the  Catho- 
lic Church,  although  there  is  a  goodly  number  to  be 
reached  by  the  Sabbath-School  and  the  occasional 
services  connected  with  it. 

April  2gth. — I  went  out  to  visit  the  Kelly  Sab- 
bath-School, accompanied  by  two  good  brothers  of 
Wausau,  who  have,  during  the  past  year,  done  no- 
ble work  in  connection  with  the  school  of  that 
place.  Last  year  the  school  was  reorganized  for 
the  fifth  time.  Before,  for  various  reasons,  it  failed, 
but  this  year  it  is  a  grand  success,  through  the  bless- 
ing of  God  upon  the  untiring  zeal  of  the  two  work- 
ers to  whom  I  have  referred.  During  the  past  year 
they  have  driven  sixteen  miles  every  Sabbath  to  su- 
perintend and  teach  in  that  Sabbath-School.  The 
membership  is  now  eighty-five,  many  of  the  people 
coming  five  miles  in  order  to  be  present.  There  is 
a  Bible  class  composed  of  twenty-five  men.  "  Be 
not  weary  in  well  doing,  for  in  due  season  ye  shall 
reap,  if  ye  faint  not." 


56  SABBATH-SCIIOOL    MISSIONS   IN   WISCONSIN 

II.       SCOTLAND  INTERESTED. 

Marshficld,  Wis.,  November  igth,  iSg^. — Last 
week  I  went  to  Neillsville  to  join  Rev.  Mr.  Hill  in 
a  week's  mission  work  at  Dell's  Dam.  At  the  close 
of  the  week's  services,  ten  persons  signed  a  petition, 
desiring  to  be  formed  into  a  Presbyterian  congrega- 
tion.    This  result  cheered  us  greatly. 

While  sojourning  at  the  parsonage  a  Scotch  pa- 
per, entitled  The  Hamilton  Advertiser  of  September 
15,  1894,  was  placed  in  my  hands,  containing  the 
following  graphic  letter,  written  by  Mr.  Hill.  This 
letter  gives  a  good  idea  of  the  cooperative  work  of 
the  missionaries  and  ministers  of  this  state : 

'*  On  Tuesday  morning,  according  to  arrangement, 
Mr.  Joseph  Brown,  Sabbath-School  missionary  for 
the  Synod  of  Wisconsin,  arrived  at  the  manse  about 
half-past  seven  o'clock.  He  had  come  on  the  train 
from  his  own  home  that  morning,  some  thirty  miles 
distant.  We  had  breakfast,  and  started  at  eight 
o'clock  to  a  district  called  Weston,  eight  miles  from 
Neillsville,  our  objects  being  to  visit  the  farmers  for 
six  miles  around ;  to  hold  a  service  in  one  of  the 
schoolhouses,  of  which  there  are  two;  and,  if  possi- 
ble, to  organize  a  Sabbath-School.  We  made  some 
calls  on  the  way,  and  reached  a  Mrs.  Black's  about 
twelve  o'clock.  She  is  a  Scotch  woman,  a  member 
of  our  church  in  town.  Her  husband  died  some 
time  ago,  and  her  son  now  manages  the  farm. 
Here  we  were  well  entertained,  had  a  rest,  and 
started  on  the  road  again  after  one  o'clock,  our  in- 


GATHER   THEM    IN  5/ 

tention  being  to  visit  right  on  to  the  end  of  the 
section,  fourteen  miles  from  Neillsville,  where  the 
roads  stop  on  the  edge  of  the  forest  land. 

"  We  got  to  the  end  of  the  road.  On  the  top  of 
the  hill  here  stands  a  nice  little  white  schoolhouse 
just  on  the  edge  of  the  forest,  the  tall  trees  form- 
ing a  shady  and  picturesque  background.  Mr. 
Brown  opened  his  bag  at  the  schoolhouse,  and  it 
would  have  done  you  good  to  have  seen  how  de- 
lighted these  children  were  to  receive  magazines 
suited  to  their  ages  full  of  beautiful  pictures  and 
good  wholesome  reading.  There  were  forty  chil- 
dren in  this  school,  and  there  is  neither  church  nor 
Sabbath-School  in  the  district.  I  may  tell  you  that 
there  are  no  ragged  children  here,  nor  poor  chil- 
dren in  the  sense  we  understand  it  at  home.  Some 
of  the  farmers  have  not  much  money,  but  they 
have  good  homes,  always  plenty  to  eat,  and  can 
manage  to  clothe  themselves  and  their  children  in  a 
respectable  way.  The  girls  had  on  light  calico 
dresses,  and  the  boys — well,  in  summer,  with  the 
thermometer  above  one  hundred,  a  pair  of  trousers, 
with  a  printed  shirt,  a  straw  hat,  minus  boots  and 
stockings,  completed  their  attire.  These  children, 
bright  and  intelligent  looking,  acted  as  missionaries 
for  us.  They  carried  the  word  to  their  homes  that 
we  were  going  to  have  a  service  in  the  schoolhouse 
in  the  evening.  We  had  supper  at  Mr.  BuUard's, 
whose  wife  is  of  Scotch  descent — M'Kelvie  being 
her  maiden  name.     The  farm  of  Mr.  Bullard  is  the 


58  SABBATH-SCnOOL    MISSIONS    IN    WISCONSIN 

best  for  twelve  miles  round  about.  He  settled  here 
sixteen  years  ago,  cleared  the  land  of  the  wood, 
and  has  now  something  like  eighty  acres  under 
cultivation.  His  house  is  beautifully  situated  on  the 
top  of  a  hill.  It  is  a  large  house,  and  has  plenty 
of  accommodations  for  visitors.  Here  we  had 
supper  and  it  is  enough  for  me  to  say  that  we  were 
entertained  like  princes.  If  kings,  in  the  imagina- 
tion of  the  children,  live  on  bread  and  honey,  we 
were  entertained  like  kings,  for  we  had  bread  and 
honey  fresh  from  the  '  skep,'  of  which  I  counted 
twenty-three  in  the  front  garden.  Speaking  of  the 
bees  and  how  the  Strathaven  weavers  carry  the 
'  skeps,'  out  to  the  heather,  Mrs.  Bullard  wanted  to 
be  enlightened.  She  actually  wanted  to  know 
what  heather  was  like ;  she  had  only  heard  about 
it,  but  had  never  seen  it.  She  expressed  a  desire 
to  have  a  piece.  Now  here  is  a  task  for  some  of 
your  young  men,  to  climb  Kype  rigg  and  pull  a 
nice  piece,  and  enclose  it  in  a  double-sized  envelope. 
It  will  be  valued  by  more  than  this  lady,  as  there 
are  many  of  Scotch  descent  who  have  never  seen 
the  heather,  although  they  have  often  heard  about 
it  and  the  heath  clad  hills. 

"  But  to  my  story  of  the  day's  work.  After  a 
good  rest,  we  started  for  the  schoolhouse,  and  held 
a  service  there  at  eight  o'clock.  There  were  sixty- 
five  present,  half  of  that  number  being  young  men 
and  women.  It  is  more  than  a  year  since  a  re- 
ligious service  was   held   in  the  schoolhouse;  and 


GATHER   THEM    IN  59 

what  makes  it  worse  is,  that  few  of  the  farmers 
come  into  church  at  Neillsville  on  Sunday.  It  is  a 
long  road,  and  as  they  all  do  their  own  work  about 
the  farms,  it  is  almost  impossible  to  get  to  town. 
The  vexing  part  of  the  whole  subject  is  that  the 
religious  training  of  the  young  is  sadly  neglected. 
We  hope,  however,  to  remedy  it,  and  if  we  did 
nothing  else  than  reach  and  influence  these  young 
people  in  their  different  districts,  we  would  do  a 
work  impossible  to  over-estimate  in  importance. 
We  have  already  preached  in  six  different  country 
districts,  and  were  asked  last  week  to  preach  in  a 
seventh,  and  all  this,  independent  of  our  church 
work  in  town,  gives  you  some  idea  of  the  great 
need.  Our  Presbytery,  I  hope,  will  take  the  matter 
up  and  send  a  missionary  or  a  student  to  help  me. 
This  has  been  talked  about,  but  the  funds  of  the 
Home  Mission  Board  have  suffered  through  the  de- 
pression in  trade  felt  all  over  the  land. 

"  After  the  service,  we  got  on  the  road  about  half- 
past  nine  o'clock,  with  good  eight  miles  before  us 
to  reach  Neillsville.  Imagine  one  of  the  balmiest 
evenings  at  home,  with  a  full  moon  and  not  a  cloud 
in  the  sky,  and  you  will  have  some  idea  of  the 
night.  Our  longest  summer  evenings  here  are 
shorter  by  two  hours  than  those  at  home.  It  is 
dark  here  just  now  at  half  past  eight  o'clock, 
while  you  will  have  it  light  on  a  clear  night  till 
after  ten.  This,  of  course,  gives  us  a  longer  and 
cooler  summer  evening.     The  drive  home  was  de- 


60         SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS    IN   WISCONSIN 

lightful.  We  overtook  not  a  single  person,  nor  did 
a  single  person  or  machine  pass  us  the  whole  way. 
The  farmhouses  on  the  road  were  all  in  darkness. 
"  Early  to  bed,  early  to  rise,"  is  necessity  here  if 
the  farmers  would  do  their  work  and  escape  the 
midday  heat.  One  part  of  the  forest  appeared,  at 
a  distance,  to  be  on  fire.  As  we  came  nearer  we 
discovered  that  a  farmer  had  been  clearing  about 
two  acres  of  the  forest.  We  counted  thirteen 
heaps  of  branches  and  brushwood,  and  all  these 
heaps  were  burning,  and  this  is  how  they  clear  the 
land  and  prepare  it  for  cultivation. 

"  We  struck  off  on  to  what,  we  were  told,  was  a 
shorter  road  home.  I  had  never  traveled  it.  Mr. 
Brown  had  taken  it  once.  It  was  a  pretty  road.  It 
was  deeply  shaded  by  forest  on  either  side,  and  not 
knowing  it  very  well,  we  had  to  be  cautious,  lest 
our  horse  and  gig  would  flounder  in  some  hole.  It 
was  a  great  relief  to  get  into  the  open  country, 
with  the  moon  to  light  us  on  our  way.  We  passed 
four  great  mounds  all  in  a  row  ;  after  the  shape  of 
Loudon  Hill,  one  of  them  as  high.  They  were 
wooded  to  their  summits,  and  looked  weird  and 
fantastic  in  the  moonlight.  We  were  enjoying  it 
immensely  when  we  were  brought  to  ourselves — not 
by  brigands,  if  you  please,  but  by  the  fact  that  it 
suddenly  dawned  upon  us  that  we  had  lost  our  way. 
We  had  gone  over  a  good  piece  of  ground,  it  was 
after  ten  o'clock,  and  we  found  no  road  turning 
southward   to   take    us    home   to    Neillsville.     Mr. 


GATHER   THEM    IN  6l 

Brown  began  to  laugh,  and,  breaking  out  into 
broad  Scotch,  said :  '  I  dinna  mind  the  road  very 
weel,  and  I'm  no  very  share  as  to  whaur  we  are.' 
Lost  or  not  lost,  it  was  positively  reassuring  to  hear 
one's  mother  tongue  here  on  this  lonely  road  more 
than  four  thousand  five  hundred  miles  from  home. 
At  last,  after  driving  on  a  mile  or  so,  we  struck  a 
road  going  east,  and  when  we  got  to  the  top  of  the 
hill,  we  came  in  full  view  of  the  electric  light  of 
Neillsville,  and  knew  that  we  were  all  right.  We 
got  home  after  eleven  o'clock,  having  had  a  good 
day's  work,  and  feeling  very  much  in  need  of  a  good 
night's  sleep.  This  diary  of  a  day  gives  you  some 
idea  of  the  great  field  we  have  here  and  the  great 
work  yet  to  be  done." 

III.      ONE  week's  work  FOR  THE  MASTER. 

Marshfield,  Wis.,Jmie  yth,  i8g^. — Jesus  sent  out 
his  disciples  to  prepare  his  way,  two  by  two.  We 
may  be  sure  this  was  a  wise  and  successful  plan, 
and  worthy  of  our  imitation.  Following  his  ex- 
ample, Mr.  Genung,  missionary  for  Chippewa  Pres- 
bytery, and  myself,  made  plans  last  month  to  work 
together  for  a  week,  in  the  counties  of  Dun  and  St. 
Croix,  the  week  to  begin  on  May  7th. 

On  my  arrival  at  Hudson,  the  headquarters  of 
Mr.  Genung,  I  was  met  and  kindly  entertained  by 
the  Presbyterian  minister  of  the  place,  the  Rev. 
Charles  T.  Burnley.  On  the  morning  of  May  8th, 
I  was  joined  by  my  fellow-worker,  and  we  prepared 


62  SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS    IN   WISCONSIN 

to  begin  the  work  of  the  week.  We  took  an  early- 
train  for  Wilson,  where  we  left  some  of  our  bag- 
gage, having  the  prospect  before  us  of  a  long  walk 
and  an  exceedingly  warm  day. 

Our  destination  was  a  district  peopled  by  a  good 
many  Scotch  families.  For  a  time,  we  walked 
along  the  railroad  track.  While  doing  so  an  engine 
came  along  and  the  engineer  stopped  and  took  us 
up  and  conveyed  us  to  a  place  called  Knapp.  We 
had  a  good  talk  with  both  workmen  on  the  engine. 
Leaving  Knapp,  we  began  to  ascend  a  steep  bluff. 
The  road  being  circuitous  and  sandy,  with  the  ther- 
mometer about  90°,  you  can  readily  imagine  that  it 
was  a  warm  climb.  When  at  school,  one  of  our 
copy-book  maxims  was,  "  Perseverance  overcomes 
difficulties " ;  by  perseverance,  we  finally  reached 
the  Millar  settlement,  arriving  at  the  home  of  the 
first  family  just  in  time  for  dinner.  We  were 
heartily  welcomed  by  this  good  Scotch  family  and 
after  partaking  of  a  bountiful  repast,  we  had  a  little 
praise  service,  singing  in  conclusion  the  1 00th  Psalm 
in  true  Scotch  style;  prayer  was  then  offered  for 
the  blessing  of  God  to  rest  upon  the  assembled 
family. 

In  the  evening,  our  kind  host  drove  us  to  the 
Hall  schoolhouse  for  the  evening  service.  Here  a 
Sabbath-School  had  been  organized  and  it  was  to 
help  and  stimulate  this  work  that  we  had  come. 

We  had  a  good  audience,  and  the  people  seemed 
to   be  benefited  and  encouraged  by  the  visit  and 


GATHER    THEM    IN  63 

service.     It  is  interesting  to  meet  and  make  friends 
under  such  circumstances. 

The  meeting  over,  after  a  hearty  hand-shake  all 
around,  we  returned  to  the  home  of  our  host ;  this 
we  reached  after  a  most  deHghtful  drive,  the  even- 
ing being  very  fine. 

On  Thursday,  May  9th,  we  were  up  bright  and 
early.  This  is  one  of  the  requirements  of  a  mis- 
sionary in  these  country  homes,  and  it  has  its  ad- 
vantages as  it  lengthens  the  day  and  gives  oppor- 
tunity for  a  "  big  "  day's  work. 

At  eight  o'clock  we  made  a  start  for  another  field 
of  labor,  the  Kimball  District.  This  was  ten  miles 
distant.  The  walk  was  long,  but  very  suggestive. 
The  beauties  of  nature  were  a  joy  to  see ;  but  some 
of  the  lonely  homes  we  visited  exhibited  conditions 
much  lower  than  we  like  to  see  as  the  heritage  of 
the  common  people  of  America.  They  need  the 
elevation  and  joy  of  Christianity  to  lift  them  up  and 
make  bearable  their  lot  in  life.  From  house  to 
house  we  went,  spoke  kindly  to  the  people,  and  put 
into  their  hands  the  Word  of  Life. 

We  reached  the  first  family  in  the  Kimball  Dis- 
trict at  5  p.  M.  It  was  an  humble  but  hospitable 
home,  as,  in  fact,  all  the  homes  are  which  it  is  a 
missionary's  lot  to  visit.  Having  partaken  of  sup- 
per, we  set  out  with  the  family  to  the  schoolhouse. 
The  building  was  filled  by  a  most  attentive  audi- 
ence. The  service  did  all  present  good  and  deep- 
ened their  interest  in  Sabbath-School  work.     Here, 


64  SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS    IN    WISCONSIN 

as  elsewhere,  we  shook  hands  and  made  more 
friends  to  be  remembered  in  our  prayers  and  to 
share  our  efforts. 

On  Friday,  May  lOth,  we  were  early  astir,  with 
the  prospect  of  a  walk  of  five  miles  on  a  solitary 
road  deep  with  mud.  Our  destination  was  Glen- 
wood,  a  town  eight  years  old  with  a  population  of 
over  two  thousand.  Here  we  found  a  Presbyterian 
church  and  Sabbath-School,  the  results  of  our  mis- 
sionaries' labors.  The  purpose  of  our  visit  here 
was  the  same  as  in  other  places  :  to  encourage  and 
to  instruct.  We  visited  families  and  held  service  in 
a  hall  which  had  been  nicely  fitted  up  by  the  Syme 
Manufacturing  Company  for  Sabbath-Schools  and 
meetings,  and  truly  it  has  been  well-equipped  for 
the  purpose.  At  the  end  of  the  service,  questions 
were  asked  and  answered  in  relation  to  Sabbath- 
School  work. 

We  found  them  a  noble  people  with  a  beautiful 
city  which  has  no  saloon,  a  wonder  in  this  part  of 
the  state. 

Saturday,  May  nth. — To-day  we  had  to  use  a 
team  to  drive  nine  miles  to  where  another  Sunday- 
School  is  doing  its  blessed  work.  We  had  a  meet- 
ing in  the  evening  and  met  with  good  results. 

The  superintendent  of  this  Sabbath-School  said 
to  us,  "  We  love  Mr.  Genung  for  organizmg  this 
Sabbath-School  and  giving  us  preaching  services  oc- 
casionally. A  minister  of  another  church  paid  us 
a  visit  and  looked  over  our  spiritual  needs.     Before 


GATHER    THEM    IN  65 

he  would  give  us  help  he  asked  how  much  money 
we  would  pay  for  a  service  every  other  Sabbath. 
The  amount  mentioned  was  not  enough  to  satisfy 
him  and  he  passed  away  leaving  us  in  a  wounded 
condition.  Mr.  Genung  acted  the  part  of  the  good 
Samaritan,  and  we  love  him  for  it." 

This  is  a  suggestive  statement  and  well  worth  the 
consideration  of  all  lovers  of  aggressive  Christian 
effort. 

Stinday,  May  I2th. — This  was  a  busy  day,  but  it 
was  blessed  in  its  results,  as  was  evidenced  by  per- 
sonal testimony.  We  drove  twenty-three  miles,  and 
held  Sabbath-School  and  three  preaching  services. 
In  the  morning  we  were  at  Inlet,  and  had  a  good 
meeting  in  that  needy  field. 

We  took  the  names  of  all  the  families  and  placed 
them  under  the  Portal  mission.  In  the  afternoon 
another  helpful  meeting  was  held  at  Hemple.  This 
meeting  rejoiced  the  people,  and  many  kind  invita- 
tions were  given  to  the  missionaries  for  a  repetition 
of  their  visit. 

At  7 :  30  p.  M.  a  service  was  held  at  Glenwood, 
where  the  hall  was  filled  with  an  intelligent  and  ap- 
preciative audience. 

These  services  have  been  to  us  both  suggestive 
and  memorable.  Suggestive,  in  so  far  as  the  results 
tend  to  confirm  the  grandeur  and  the  wisdom  of 
this  branch  of  our  Church's  work ;  memorable,  on 
account  of  the  pleasant  associations,  and  the  many 
blessings  which  God  in  his  goodness  showered  down 


66  SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS   IN    WISCONSIN 

on  the  people,  young  and  old,  who  composed  the 
audiences. 

The  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ  is  truly  the  greatest 
thing  in  the  world.  Let  us  follow  the  example  of 
our  blessed  Master,  whose  record  is,  **  He  went 
about  doing  good."  A  little  verse  in  one  of  our 
late  magazines,  entitled  *'  The  World's  Need  "  has 
impressed  itself  on  my  mind.     Let  me  pass  it  on : 

"  So  many  paths  that  wind  and  wind, 
"While  just  the  art  of  being  kind 
Is  what  our  sad  world  needs." 


CHAPTER  VII 
FROM  PLACE  TO  PLACE 

And  Jesus  went  about  all  Galilee,  teaching  in  their  synagogues, 
and  preaching  the  gospel  of  the  kingdom,  and  healing  all  manner 
of  sickness  and  all  manner  of  disease  among  the  people. — Matt. 

I.  Our  Efforts  Appreciated. 

II.  A  Blessed  Day's  Work. 

III.  A  Spring  Tour. 

IV.  Triumphs  of  Sabbath-School   Missions 

IN  Marathon  County. 
V.     North  Lowell. 
VI.     Taking  Possession. 
VII.     Sixteen  Miles  on  a  Hand-Car. 


I.      OUR   EFFORTS   APPRECIATED. 

Marshfield,  Wis.,  March,  j^,  i8g6.—As  I  sit  and 
think,  in  the  few  restful  hours  which  I  am  enjoying 
to-day,  my  mind  is  engrossed  with  the  great  possi- 
bihties  of  the  Sabbath-School  mission  work  in  this 
state.  Eight  years'  service  in  this  branch  of  work 
has  impressed  me  with  its  importance.  The  ques- 
tion presents  itself  to  me,  *'  How  can  I  best  get 
others  to  feel  the  same  enthusiasm  ?  "    I  have  come 

67 


68  SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS    IN   WISCONSIN 

to  the  conclusion  that  one  of  the  answers  to  that 
question  is,  "  By  endeavoring  to  portray  some  of 
the  good  resuhs  of  the  work  which  has  been  in 
progress  during  these  years."  As  an  illustration  of 
some  of  these,  I  have  cut  from  papers  of  recent 
date,  two  articles,  the  first  of  which,  taken  from  the 
Portage  Democrat  of  February  14th,  shows  the  ap- 
preciation of  the  work  of  Owen  J.  Owen,  who 
labors  during  the  summer  in  the  interests  of  Sab- 
bath-School work.  The  contents  of  the  paragraph 
give  ample  testimony  that  Mr.  Owen's  labors  have 
been  greatly  blessed.  The  second  article  is  from 
the  Belleville  Recorder  of  February  28th,  and  gives 
an  account  of  one  of  the  many  Sabbath-School 
Institutes  which  are  being  held  all  over  the  state  in 
the  interests  of  Sabbath-School  mission  work.  The 
missionaries  find  that  this  method  of  work  is  pro- 
ductive of  wonderful  success.  The  Portage  Demo- 
crat says : 

**  Last  Wednesday  night  the  many  friends  of  Mr. 
O.  J.  Owen,  gave  him  a  surprise.  About  7:30  p.  m., 
the  teams  began  to  arrive  all  loaded  down,  and  by 
eight  o'clock  the  house  was  packed,  about  one  hun- 
dred people  being  present.  This  was  a  meeting  of 
people  interested  in  Sabbath-School  matters  and  they 
met  to  show  their  appreciation  of  the  work  that  Mr. 
Owen  has  been  doing  in  the  surrounding  localities 
in  organizing  Sabbath-Schools.  There  were  three 
schools  represented,  two  of  them  organized  by  Mr. 
Owen.     In  due   time   the   meeting    was    called   to 


FROM    PLACE   TO    PLACE  69 

order,  by  the  chairman,  Mr.  G.  Rice.  Mr.  Owen 
was  presented  with  an  elegant  gold  watch  and  chain 
and  fountain  pen,  also  a  few  dollars  in  cash.  The 
presentation  address  was  made  by  Mrs.  Jennie  Row- 
lands, in  behalf  of  the  schools,  in  a  befitting  man- 
ner. Mr.  Owen  responded,  thanking  his  friends  for 
their  respect,  good  will  and  support  in  carrying  on 
the  good  work.  The  programme  then  was  carried 
out  in  recitations,  singing  and  debating,  which  all 
enjoyed.  As  usual,  the  ladies  had  come  prepared 
to  satisfy  the  most  delicate  epicure  and  proceeded 
to  serve  the  crowd.  After  spending  a  few  social 
hours,  all  left  for  their  respective  homes,  feeling  that 
the  evening  was  well  spent." 

The  following  is  from  the  Belleville  Recorder: 
"  The  Sabbath-School  Institute  at  the  Presby- 
terian church  Saturday  and  Sabbath  was  a  most 
flattering  success.  The  attendance  was  large,  the 
house  being  filled  to  its  utmost  capacity.  The  ad- 
dresses and  papers  as  called  for  by  the  published 
programme  were  all  forthcoming  and  were  pro- 
nounced of  a  high  order  of  merit.  The  sermons  of 
Rev.  Joseph  Brown  were  extremely  interesting  and 
practical,  and  full  of  good  suggestions  to  the  young. 
The  work  performed  by  both  himself  and  Rev. 
James  M.  Bain  can  hardly  fail  to  produce  good  re- 
sults. The  Sabbath  morning  session  was  devoted 
mostly  to  methods  of  making  the  Sabbath-Schools 
better  and  more  attractive.  There  were  many  able 
papers.     The    afternoon   session   was    devoted    to 


70         SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS   IN   WISCONSIN 

little  people,  and  the  attention  which  they  paid  to 
this  service  goes  farther  than  words  to  tell  that  it 
Wcis  highly  enjoyed,  and  was  very  beneficial  to 
them.  The  closing  session  was  taken  up  by  the 
young  people.  There  were  many  interesting  facts 
presented  at  this  service  that  should  be  utilized  by 
both  old  and  young.  May  the  time  speed  on  to 
the  day  when  this  village  may  enjoy  another  such 
rare  treat  as  this  Sabbath-School  convention." 

II.      A    BLESSED    DAY's   WORK. 

Marslifield,  Wis.,  March  20th,  i8g6. — A  day  well 
spent  in  the  mission  field  for  the  Master,  brings  with 
it  a  holy  joy.  Such  a  day  was  yesterday.  At  9 
A.  M.  I  started  from  Neillsville  to  visit  the  mission 
district  of  Pine  Valley.  The  pastor  of  the  Neills- 
ville church  drove  me  two  miles  in  order  to  facilitate 
the  work  of  the  day.  I  was  enabled  to  visit  twelve 
families  of  that  district,  with  all  of  whom  I  had 
pleasant,  loving  converse.  I  left  in  their  possession 
some  of  our  missionary  literature,  which  is  always 
productive  of  good  results.  In  all  the  missionaries' 
home-to-home  visitations,  the  following  grand 
words  apply :  •♦  The  loving  toil  of  the  Sabbath- 
School  missionaries  and  the  self-sacrifice  of  their 
lives  make  just  the  needed  link  that,  alas,  is  so  often 
lacking  between  the  ungospeled  and  the  gospel 
itself.  They  will  not  believe  in  God's  love,  unless 
they  see  it  lived  out  and  manifested  in  the  hearts  of 
those  who  give  the  message,  and   that  in  the  most 


FROM    PLACE   TO    PLACE  7 1 

practical  and  uncontroversial  way."     Going  amongst 
the  people  and  taking  them  just  as  we  find  them 
and  striving  to  do  them  all  the  good  in  our  power, 
has  a  wonderful    influence   over   their   hearts    and 
lives,  and  also  over  our  own. 

I  visited  one  home  and  found  the  father  and 
mother  absent;  on  exploring  further,  however,  I 
discovered  them  at  the  wood  pile,  engaged  in  saw- 
ing wood.  I  did  not  interrupt  their  work,  but  had 
an  interesting  talk  with  them,  which  they  seemed 
to  enjoy  exceedingly.  At  the  next  house  I  visited, 
I  found  the  good  wife  of  the  household  busied  in 
preparations  for  dinner.  She  apologized  for  her 
appearance  (her  clothing  being  covered  with  hay 
seed),  saying  that  she  had  been  assisting  her  hus- 
band in  moving  some  hay.  In  the  midst  of  the 
preparations  for  the  noonday  meal,  I  had  a  pleasant 
chat  with  the  various  members  of  the  family,  and 
was  cordially  invited  to  remain  to  dinner.  This  I 
gladly  did,  as  I  was  feeling  hungry  from  my  long 
tramp  (the  presence  of  a  few  hay  seeds  in  some  of 
the  dishes  being  no  barrier  to  my  enjoyment). 

A  little  further  along  I  came  to  a  house  standing 
at  a  short  distance  from  the  road.  When  I  entered 
I  found  only  the  wife  and  children  present.  I 
talked  with  them  and  invited  them  to  come  out  to 
the  evening  service,  and  requested  especially  the 
attendance  of  the  male  members  of  the  family.  One 
of  the  men  came  in.  He  had  never  been  known  to 
attend  a  religious  gathering  in  the  history  of  the 


72  SABBATH-SCnOOL    MISSIONS    IN   WISCONSIN 

settlement.  He  was  a  most  attentive  listener,  and 
only  God  knows  what  will  be  the  result  of  his  hear- 
ing the  gospel  message  on  that  occasion. 

I  went  across  the  fields  to  the  next  dwelling.  On 
my  way  I  had  to  pass  through  several  wire  fences, 
which,  by  reason  of  past  experiences,  are  always  a 
terror  to  me,  my  clothes  frequently  bearing  witness 
to  their  danger.  I  found  the  members  of  the  family 
engaged  at  work  in  the  clearing  up  of  a  field.  I 
chatted  with  them  for  a  time,  commending  them 
heartily  on  their  endeavors  to  make  success  of  their 
farm.  These  unconventional  visits  are  always  well 
received,  and  this  one  was  no  exception.  A  kindly 
invitation  was  extended  me  at  parting  to  visit  them 
at  their  home  either  by  night  or  b}^  day. 

I  went  to  the  little  schoolhouse  near  by,  addressed 
the  children,  and  left  a  present  with  the  teacher  to 
give  to  the  scholar  who  received  a  perfect  mark  for 
conduct  during  the  day.  Thus  I  went,  from  house 
to  house,  until  I  reached  the  chapel  of  the  Prince 
of  Peace,  which  had  recently  been  erected.  In  the 
chapel  I  found  ten  mothers  busily  engaged  in  mak- 
ing a  quilt,  which  was  to  be  sold  to  purchase  an 
organ  for  the  Sabbath-School.  Of  these  dear  women 
with  toil-hardened  hands,  it  may  well  be  said : 
"  Silver  and  gold  have  they  none,  but  such  as  they 
have  they  give."  Here  I  rested  for  a  short  season. 
A  neighbor  kindly  hitched  up  his  team  and  drove 
me  to  the  new  settlement  where  I  arranged  to  have 
a  meeting  in  the  near  future  and  organize  a  Sab- 


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FROM    PLACE   TO    PLACE  73 

bath-School.  Then  I  returned  to  a  home  near  the 
chapel,  where  I  rested  until  time  for  the  evening 
service,  which  was  well  attended  by  an  appreciative 
audience.  There  being  many  young  people  pres- 
ent, I  gave  an  address  especially  to  them.  As  an 
evidence  of  their  careful  attention,  I  found  that  they 
were  able  to  repeat  the  leading  thoughts  of  the 
talk. 

Thus  ended  one  day  of  work  in  the  vineyard  of 
the  Master,  the  results  of  which  are  in  his  hands, 
and  will  be  made  manifest  in  the  lives  of  the  people. 
The  faith  of  the  Apostle  is  ours  :  No  work  done  for 
the  Master  in  a  right  spirit  ever  fails  of  blessed  re- 
sults. This  one  day  of  labor  is  a  fair  example  of 
the  work  done  by  all  Sabbath -School  missionaries 
in  the  needy  fields  of  our  country. 

III.      A  SPRING  TOUR. 

Marsh  field,  Wis.,  May  ist,  i8g6. — I  went  to 
Eagle  last  month  to  take  part  in  the  Sabbath- 
School  Institute,  superintended  by  the  Rev.  Henry 
L.  Brown,  and  Mr.  Lane,  Sabbath-School  mission- 
ary. Five  services  were  held  during  Saturday  and 
Sabbath,  April  6th  and  /th.  Four  Sabbath-Schools 
were  represented,  and  a  fine  spirit  of  Christian  unity 
prevailed.  The  addresses  and  papers  were  able 
and  appropriate,  and  the  blessings  received  were 
great. 

I  went  from  Eagle  to  Waukesha  and  visited  Mr. 
Forbes,  the  new  Sabbath-School  missionary.     I  had 


74  SABBATH-SCIIOOL    MISSIONS   IN   WISCONSIN 

a  pleasant  conference  with  him  as  to  future  work. 
I  visited  Carroll  College  and  addressed  the  students 
there,  by  special  request. 

On  the  9th,  I  went  to  Oshkosh  to  attend  a  meet- 
ing of  Winnebago  Presbytery.  There  are  five 
Presbyteries  in  Wisconsin,  and  all  of  them  hold 
their  spring  meetings  during  the  month  of  April. 
As  Synodical  Sabbath-School  missionary,  it  is  my 
duty  to  attend  as  many  of  these  meetings  as  pos- 
sible. It  is  good  to  keep  in  close  and  loving  touch 
with  the  various  pastors  and  elders,  in  order  to  keep 
them  informed  of  the  progress  of  the  great  work  in 
which  we  are  engaged. 

On  the  1 2th,  I  went  to  West  Salem  to  attend  the 
Presbytery  of  La  Crosse.  I  reached  there  on  Fri- 
day in  time  to  make  an  address  on  our  work  at  the 
evening  public  meeting.  The  subject  of  the  even- 
ing was  "  Missions."  The  audience  was  large  and 
appreciative.  I  had  a  pleasant  conference  with  the 
pastors  and  elders.  Mr.  Lane  is  the  new  mission- 
ary for  the  Presbytery,  and  at  this  meeting  he  was 
introduced  to  the  brethren.  His  work  is  in  a  field 
which  is  truly  "  white  unto  harvest." 

On  Sabbath,  the  14th,  it  was  my  privilege  to 
worship  in  the  morning  at  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church  of  La  Crosse  and  to  teach  the  Bible  class. 
In  the  afternoon  I  visited  and  took  part  in  the  Sab- 
bath-School service  of  the  North  mission  school, 
and  in  the  evening  I  did  the  same  in  Grace  Sab- 
bath-School.    There    are   three   mission    Sabbath- 


FROM    PLACE   TO    PLACE  75 

Schools  in  La  Crosse,  the  results  of  mission  work  of 
the  First  and  North  churches. 

On  the  17th  and  i8th,  I  attended  the  meeting  of 
the  Milwaukee  Presbytery,  at  Racine,  and  the 
Presbyterian  Christian  Endeavor  Union  meeting — 
the  latter  being  held  in  connection  with  the  Presby- 
tery. I  had  the  privilege  of  addressing  the  people 
three  times.  I  felt  much  benefited  by  the  many 
excellent  papers  and  addresses,  and  by  the  profitable 
talks.  At  these  meetings  Mr.  Forbes,  our  new 
missionary,  got  a  fine  introduction  to  many  of  the 
people. 

On  the  20th  and  2ist,  I  labored  with  Mr.  Bain  at 
Deerfield,  a  mission  station  under  the  care  of  the 
Madison  Presbyterian  Church.  Important  work 
was  done  in  this  district,  and  steps  were  taken  to 
build  a  mission  chapel.  The  services  held  during 
our  visit  were  well  attended  and  much  appreciated. 
May  God  bless  the  work  so  much  needed  and  so 
hopefully  begun  ! 

I  was  unable  to  visit  the  Presbytery  of  Chippewa, 
on  account  of  its  meetings  being  held  on  the  same 
days  as  the  La  Crosse  Presbytery.  Mr.  E.  S. 
Genung  is  the  Sabbath-School  missionary  for  this 
Presbytery  and  is  doing  grand  work.  He  is  ably 
assisted  by  all  the  brethren  of  the  Presbytery. 

The  Madison  Presbytery  met  on  the  23d,  at 
Oregon.  Owincf  to  a  combination  of  circum- 
stances,  I  was  unable  to  be  present,  but  our  work 
had   an   able   representative   in  the  person  of  Mr. 


76  SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS    IN   WISCONSIN 

Bain.  He  has  won  the  confidence  and  cooperation 
of  all  the  pastors  and  is  doing  grand  work  for  the 
cause  of  Christ  among  the  many  needy  districts  of 
his  Presbytery. 

On  April  25th  I  went  to  Fenwood,  a  new  field.  It 
is  a  sawmill  district  and  has  a  population  of  about 
two  hundred.  They  have  two  saloons,  but  no 
Christian  agency  to  counteract  the  work  which 
Satan  has  begun  in  their  midst.  Visited  fourteen 
families  and  arranged  for  a  service  in  the  new 
schoolhouse.  It  was  filled  by  an  attentive  and  ap- 
preciative audience  when  the  meeting  was  held. 
At  the  close  of  the  service,  a  vote  was  taken  in 
favor  of  organizing  a  Sabbath-School,  but  un- 
fortunately no  one  could  be  found  who  was  willing 
to  act  as  superintendent  of  the  school  so  I  had  to 
be  content  with  leaving  lesson  papers  and  cards 
among  the  families. 

On  April  26th  I  visited  Whiting's  mill,  another 
new  field  a  few  miles  below  Stevens  Point,  on  the 
bank  of  the  Wisconsin  River.  I  was  accompanied 
by  Rev.  E.  P.  Rankine,  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian 
church  at  Stevens  Point. 

On  April  27th  and  28th  I  visited,  in  company  with 
Mr.  Rankine,  the  McGregor  settlement  in  Waushara 
County,  thirty  miles  below  Stevens  Point,  to  aid  in 
the  organization  of  a  Presbyterian  church  at  that 
place.  The  work  was  performed  with  many 
evidences  of  God's  favor.  The  weather  was  fine 
and  the  services  were  well  attended.     The  church 


FROM    PLACE   TO    PLACE  7/ 

was  formed,  with  sixteen  members.  Two  elders 
were  ordained,  and  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper 
was  administered.  It  was  a  day  to  be  remembered 
by  all  who  were  present,  and  will  mark  a  new  era 
in  the  life  of  the  people  of  the  district.  May  God's 
blessing  continue  to  rest  upon  the  work ! 

On  April  30th  I  went  to  Free  District  in  the  town 
of  Weston  in  the  northwest  part  of  Clark  County. 
On  my  way  to  the  place,  in  addition  to  house-to- 
house  visitation,  I  paused  at  the  schoolhouse  where 
the  children  were  at  play  and  distributed  some  of 
our  beautiful  primary  lesson  cards.  They  promised 
to  read  them"  and  learn  the  golden  text.  Their 
childish  delight  was  pleasant  to  see.  Every  true 
Sabbath-School  missionary  is  a  firm  believer  in  the 
beautiful  words :  "  a  little  child  shall  lead  them." 
I  held  a  service  in  the  Free  schoolhouse  and  re- 
organized the  Sabbath-School,  to  the  great  delight 
of  parents  and  children.  The  school  consists  of 
four  teachers  and  thirty  children. 

Thus  the  seed  has  been  sown  during  the  past 
month.  May  it  bring  forth  abundant  fruit !  If  we 
could  only  make  known  the  intense  needs  of  these 
people  who  are  scattered  over  this  broad  state  "  like 
sheep  without  a  shepherd,"  surely  every  heart  and 
voice  would  be  lifted  in  prayer,  and  every  hand 
stretched  out  in  hearty  assistance.  The  days  speed 
away  and  are  soon  months,  the  months  are  rapidly 
speeding  into  years,  and  thus  our  lives  pass  away. 
May  we  remember,  one  and  all,  God's  command  to 


78  SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS   IN   WISCONSIN 

"  work  while  it  is   yet  day,  for  the  night  cometh 
when  no  man  can  work." 

IV.        TRIUMPHS      OF     SABBATH-SCHOOL      MISSIONS     IN 

MARATHON  COUNTY. 

Jime  8thy  i8g6. — In  company  with  Mr.  Strand, 
we  set  out  on  Friday  morning,  June  5th.  Stopped 
for  two  hours  at  a  place  called  Norrie,  a  small 
village  in  the  woods.  Some  years  ago  we  helped 
these  people  in  their  efforts  to  establish  a  "  Char- 
acter Manufactory "  in  the  shape  of  a  Sabbath- 
School.  Now  they  have  also  a  church,  and  a 
Christian  Endeavor  Society.  We  visited  five  fam- 
ilies and  cheered  and  encouraged  them.  This  visit 
revived  the  old  affection  and  brought  sweet 
memories  of  a  gracious  past. 

We  went  ten  miles  farther  to  the  village  of 
Aniwa.  Here  the  remainder  of  the  day  was  spent 
in  visitation.  In  the  evening  an  interesting  meet- 
ing was  held  in  the  schoolhouse ;  it  was  attended 
by  a  goodly  number  of  young  people,  all  of  whom 
seemed  to  appreciate  the  services.  A  Sabbath- 
School  service  is  held,  and  also  a  weekly  service 
every  Friday  evening.  A  Ladies'  Aid  Society  has 
been  formed  and  they  are  talking  of  having  a  little 
church  building  of  their  own.  We  promised  to  help 
them  to  help  themselves  in  this  noble  purpose.  We 
lodged  for  the  night  in  a  home  in  the  great  forest. 

At  seven  o'clock  on  Saturday  morning  we  set 
out  on  our  work  of  the  day.     For  five  miles  our 


FROM    PLACE   TO    PLACE  79 

road  was  through  the  forest,  in  the  direction  of  the 
Hogarty  settlement.  We  visited  the  lonely  homes 
of  the  few  settlers  to  be  found.  Such  house-to- 
house  visitation  is  most  blessed ;  on  this  occasion  it 
was  specially  so.  The  people  seemed  to  appreciate 
such  visits  so  much.  Heart  response  was  earnest 
and  beautiful,  as  was  shown  by  the  glint  of  the 
silent  tear  and  the  warm  clasp  of  the  hand.  We 
reached  the  Hogarty  settlement  about  the  noonday 
hour.  While  there,  we  visited  the  families  of  the 
place,  and  put  into  their  hands  precious  tracts.  We 
did  what  we  could  to  revive  interest  in  Sabbath- 
School  work.  A  request  was  made  for  occasional 
services.  Among  this  handful  of  people,  in  the 
dense  forest,  twenty-four  miles  from  the  nearest 
church,  there  are  a  saloon  and  dancing  hall.  Only 
think  of  it!  Such  a  place  is  in  a  desperate  ex- 
tremity, and  calls  loudly  to  the  people  of  God  for 
help.     Let  it  not  call  in  vain ! 

We  set  out  for  the  Johnston  settlement,  four  miles 
farther,  and  stopped  at  a  Norwegian's  home  in  the 
forest  for  dinner.  The  dinner  was  not  only  good, 
but  was  given  with  grace  and  heartiness — but  this 
is  so  everywhere.  Reaching  our  destination,  we  ar- 
ranged to  hold  a  cottage  service  in  the  home  of  Mr. 
McDonald.  The  meeting  was  a  grand  success. 
Twenty-eight  persons  were  present,  six  of  whom 
stood  up,  thus  expressing  their  desire  to  become 
Christians.  One  man  promised  to  look  after  the 
Sabbath-School  work. 


80         SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS    IN   WISCONSIN 

We  lodged  for  the  night  in  the  same  house.  We 
left  on  Sabbath  morning  at  eight  o'clock,  making  for 
the  Knowles  settlement,  to  be  present  at  the  Sab- 
bath-School and  preaching  services,  which  are  held 
in  the  beautiful  chapel  every  Sabbath.  The  serv- 
ice on  this  occasion  was  delightful.  Many  chubby 
faces  graced  the  meeting,  and  there  were  also  many 
parents.  A  grand  work  is  done  here,  over  sixty 
persons  being  present  at  the  Sabbath-School  and 
preaching  service.  Such  a  sight  is  worth  going 
miles  to  see  and  to  take  part  in.  All  honor  to 
those  who  lend  a  helping  hand  in  such  blessed 
work!  At  12:30  the  meeting  closed.  We  took 
dinner  in  an  humble  home  near  by. 

Our  next  point  was  Kelly,  where  we  desired  to 
be  present  at  the  Sabbath-School.  We  had  seven 
miles  to  drive.  As  we  went,  we  halted  at  the  Sandy 
Sabbath-School  house  in  order  to  see  it — so  grand 
in  its  humbleness.  Here  a  Sabbath-School  is  held 
every  Sabbath  morning,  and  a  service  every  Wed- 
nesday evening,  the  place  being  always  filled.  The 
Kelly  chapel  was  reached  before  three  o'clock.  As 
we  approached  we  saw  the  people  neatly  dressed, 
making  their  way  to  the  house  of  God.  How  beau- 
tiful ;  how  grand  !  And  what  a  blessed  Sabbath- 
School  service  !  Over  one  hundred  persons  were 
present  to  drink  in  the  water  of  life  as  it  was  given 
from  the  pure  fountain  of  God's  Word.  It  was  a 
blessed  privilege  to  engage  in  such  a  service,  in  such 
a  place,  with  such  memories  of  noble  work  done. 


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33 


FROM    PLACE   TO.  PLACE  8 1 

The  service  ended  at  five  o'clock,  after  which  we 
were  driven  to  Wausau  in  the  carriage  of  one  of 
the  humble  workers  from  that  church. 

Thus  ended  our  mission  trip  of  sixty  miles,  over 
fields  all  grandly  helped  by  the  pastors,  elders  and 
members  of  the  Wausau  Presbyterian  Church.  Nor 
is  this  all.  There  are  three  other  fields  on  which 
they  have  laid  a  helping  hand :  Westside,  Trapp 
City  and  Ribb  Hill.  At  each  of  these  places,  a 
noble  work  is  being  done.  We  hope  and  pray  that 
such  work  will  be  maintained  and  extended. 

The  above  description  is  not  only  honorable 
for  the  church  concerned,  but  it  is  interesting  and 
helpful,  as  showing  forth  the  lines  along  which  the 
needy  and  spiritually  destitute  are  to  be  evangelized. 

V.      NORTH    LOWELL. 

May  ^th,  i8g6. — The  beautiful  Presbyterian 
chapel  in  North  Lowell  was  dedicated  yesterday 
with  appropriate  ceremonies.  For  some  years  a 
mission  Sabbath-School  was  carried  on  in  this 
neighborhood,  five  miles  south  of  Beaver  Dam,  in 
private  houses  and  in  the  schoolhouse.  By  the 
liberality  of  Alfred  Percival  Smith,  Esq.,  of  Phila- 
delphia, ^200.00  was  given  to  the  chapel  to  perpet- 
uate the  memory  of  his  deceased  mother,  who  was 
a  great  lover  of  and  worker  in  Sabbath-Schools. 
The  new  building  will  be  known  as  the  Corneha 
Stanley  Allen  Smith  Memorial  Chapel. 

Seward    Pendleton,    of    North    Lowell,    gave    a 


82  SABBATH-SCHOOL   MISSIONS    IN   WISCONSIN 

pleasant  site,  and  the  people  of  the  settlement  and 
their  friends,  gave  their  money  and  labor  to  the  ag- 
gregate of  about  ^300.  Joseph  Brown,  state  Sab- 
bath-School missionary,  preached  three  times  on  the 
Sabbath,  and  the  Revs.  R.  K.  Wharton  and  T.  S. 
Johnson,  of  Beaver  Dam,  A.  Woodhead,  C.  Plank, 
A.  P.  Lawrence,  John  Dumas,  J.  W.  Ganes,  of 
Lowell,  Rudolph  Edwards  of  Milwaukee,  made 
brief  addresses.  A  pleasing  feature  was  the  reading 
of  an  original  poem  by  Mrs.  Etta  M.  Dumas,  which 
gave  a  description  of  the  North  Lowell  Mission, 
which  is  under  the  care  of  the  Assembly  Presby- 
terian Church  of  Beaver  Dam. 

THE  SMITH  MEMORIAL  CHAPEL. 

BY    ETTA    M.    DUMAS. 

"  Sow  the  good  seed  !  "  spake  one  whose  voice  the  prophets  heard 

of  old ; 
His  servants  listening  heard  the  voice,  and  saw  without  the  fold 
Wide  barren  fields  and  treeless  wastes  waiting  the  sower's  hand, 
So  he,  with  song  and  prayer  went  forth  and  sowed  throughout  the 

land. 

And  some  seed  by  the  wayside  fell,  and  some  on  stony  ground ; 
Some,  falling  where  the  ground  was  good,  a  surer  foothold  found, 
And  yielded  to  the  sower's  hand  a  greater  gain  than  gold  — 
Some  thirty,  and  some  sixty,  and  some  an  hundredfold. 

Right  here  a  tiny  Sabbath-School  took  root  and  slowly  grew 
Through  difficulties  great  and  small,  for  helpers,  strong  and  true, 
God  sent  to  comfort  and  protect  the  plant  his  love  had  sown, 
His  sleepless  eye  will  ne'er  neglect  to  guard  and  guide  his  own. 


FROM    PLACE   TO    PLACE  83 

"  Sow  the  good  seed ! "  again  went  forth  the  Master's  low  com- 
mand; 

And  one  gave  freely  of  his  time,  and  one  gave  of  his  land  ; 

And  some  gave  gold,  and  some  gave  toil,  with  willing  earnest 
hands. 

And  lo !  an  offering  to  God,  this  little  chapel  stands. 

About  it,  fancy  almost  sees  the  radiant,  smiling  one, 

Who  gave  more  generously  than  all  to  aid  us,  through  her  son : 

The  tried,  true  friend  of  Sabbath-Schools,  we  hold  her  memory 

dear; 
«<  She  being  dead,  yet  speaketh  "  words  of  happiness  and  cheer. 

Oh !  may  we  realize  how  great  God's  watchful  care  has  been. 
And  closer  live  to  him  each  day,  and  other  weak  ones  win. 
We  know  by  these  good  gifts  of  his,  we  do  not  walk  alone. 
For  on  our  poor  imperfect  work  his  loving  smile  has  shone. 

And  many  a  one  in  after  years  may  point  to  this,  and  say  : 

« 'Twas  there  my  Christian  life  began ;  'twas  there  I  learned  to 

pray." 
A  higher  word  of  praise  than  this  no  mortal  tongue  has  told  ; 
A  sure  reward  laid  up  in  heaven,  more  precious  far  than  gold. 

And  while  we  gather  here  to-day  to  praise,  and  pray,  and  sing. 
And  dedicate  this  chapel  to  the  service  of  our  King, 
May  we  not  hope  that  in  that  land  that  gave  the  impulse  birth, 
The  angels  are  rejoicing  o'er  this  little  spot  of  earth  ? 

We  may,  indeed !    We  know  he  smiles  on  all  our  labors  here ; 
That  work  for  Jesus,  great  or  small,  brings  heaven  very  near. 
So  let  us  bring  more  willing  hands  and  greater  faith  and  love. 
And  serve  him  till  he  bids  us  come  to  dwell  with  him  above. 

VI.      TAKING    POSSESSION. 

On  the  30th  of  June,  1896,  I  entered  a  new  field 
ten  miles  northeast  of  Black  River  Falls,  and  found 


84         SABBATH-SCHOOL   MISSIONS   IN   WISCONSIN 

a  scattered  settlement  of  mixed  nationalities.  In 
my  visitations,  I  discovered  that  many  of  the  par- 
ents could  not  speak  EngHsh  but  that  the  children 
could — thanks  to  the  work  done  in  the  httle  school- 
house  near  by.  As  I  went  from  house  to  house, 
I  was  especially  attracted  to  the  children.  In  sev- 
eral cases,  as  I  gave  out  the  lesson  papers,  the  little 
ones  took  them  and  read  them  in  the  hearing  of 
their  parents  and  myself,  and  this  greatly  delighted 
me.  I  learned  that  I  was  the  first  person  who  had 
ever  visited  the  settlement  with  a  view  to  planting  a 
Christian  organization.  This  being  so,  like  the  ex- 
plorers of  new  continents,  I  took  possession  of  the 
settlement  in  the  name  of  King  Jesus,  the  Saviour 
of  the  world  and  the  children's  special  Friend.  I 
found  the  number  of  famihes  to  be  about  twenty- 
five.  The  center  of  the  settlement  was  the  post 
office.  Finding  that,  at  present,  a  Sabbath-School 
could  not  be  organized,  I  resolved  to  form  the  set- 
tlement into  a  Home  Sabbath-School.  The  post 
mistress  readily  agreed  to  distribute  the  necessary 
material. 

I  left  a  package  of  lesson  papers  with  each  of  the 
twenty-five  households.  This  arrangement  seemed 
to  please  them  all,  especially  the  children  and  young 
people. 

This  day's  experience  shows  in  a  striking  man- 
ner, the  simple  yet  important  form  in  which  good 
work  may  be  done.  No  settlement  need  be  left  un- 
helped.     The  beginning  of  good   may  be  like  the 


FROM    PLACE   TO    PLACE  85 

mustard  seed,  which,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  may 
grow  into  a  wide-spreading  tree. 

Vn.      SIXTEEN    MILES   ON   A    HAND-CAR. 

I  am  often  asked,  when  about  to  speak  on  the 
subject  of  Sabbath-School  mission  work,  to  give,  in 
my  own  way,  a  word  picture  of  work  done,  with 
the  lights  and  shadows  of  actual  experience. 
Simple  truth  is  often  strange  and  interesting. 

I  will  give  an  account  of  three  days'  work  done 
in  the  month  of  September.  On  Monday,  Sep- 
tember 3d,  a  Sabbath-School  Institute  was  held  in 
the  Dudley  District.  This,  like  all  the  others,  was 
well  attended  and  was  a  grand  success.  Rev.  W; 
O.  Carrier,  of  Wausau,  and  Mr.  Mack,  came  to  the 
Institute  at  noon,  having  traveled  by  rail  and  car- 
riages, a  distance  of  thirty-four  miles  to  be  present 
and  take  part  in  the  exercises.  These  were  con- 
tinued till  after  four  o'clock,  at  which  hour  the  people 
began  to  make  their  way  to  their  several  homes. 
This  was  but  the  beginning  of  the  three  days*  work, 
which  had  all  been  previously  planned. 

The  Institute  over,  a  drive  often  miles  was  be- 
fore us,  in  order  to  reach  Parrish,  away  in  the  dense 
forest,  where  a  service  was  to  be  held  in  the  school- 
house  at  8  p.  M.  A  halt  was  made  at  the  home  of 
a  farmer,  three  miles  from  Parrish ;  here  we  were 
hospitably  received  and  entertained  at  supper. 
Our  entertainers  felt  honored,  as  this  was  the  first 
time  a   minister  had  ever  been  in  their  home,  and 


86         SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS    IN   WISCONSIN 

they  had  been  settled  there  for  fourteen  years ! 
After  supper,  we  had  a  hard  ride  over  very  bad 
roads  ;  this,  united  to  the  darkness  of  the  night,  did 
not  tend  to  make  our  journey  a  pleasant  one.  Con- 
trary to  our  expectations,  we  reached  Parrish  in 
safety,  but  thirty  minutes  behind  time.  The  school- 
house  was   well   filled  and  we   had  a  grand  service. 

On  Tuesday  morning  we  were  up  bright  and 
early,  ready  for  the  work  of  the  second  day.  Our 
destined  point  of  work  was  Aniwa,  nearly  fifty  miles 
distant.  A  difficulty  faced  us  here :  Parrish  was 
sixteen  miles  from  Pratt  J-unction,  and  this  point  we 
had  to  reach  before  2  p.  m.  in  order  to  catch  the 
train  for  Aniwa.  No  convenient  train  left  Parrish. 
There  was  one  way  out  of  the  difficulty,  and  that 
was  to  use  a  railroad  hand-car.  This  was  kindly 
provided,  and  at  9:30  Mr.  Carrier  and  myself 
mounted  the  car.  Coats,  vests  and  satchels  placed 
on  a  board  behind,  we  made  our  start  amidst  a 
chorus  of  hurrahs  from  the  friends  assembled  to 
witness  our  departure.  Up  grade  we  found  our 
work  slow  and  hard,  but  down  grade  it  was  quick 
and  easy.  In  this  way  we  went  through  the  forest 
and  reached  the  Junction  in  good  time  for  the  train. 
Although  perspiration  streamed  from  every  pore 
and  our  hands  were  blistered,  yet  we  had  a  feeling 
of  pleasure  and  satisfaction  at  the  novel  way  in 
which  we  had  traveled. 

We  were  kindly  received  at  Aniwa,  a  Sabbath- 
School  missionary  station.     In  the  evening  a  well 


FROM    PLACE   TO    PLACE  8/ 

attended  meeting  was  held.  In  truth  it  may  be 
said  the  people  heard  us  gladly,  as  well  they  might, 
these  mission  services  being  their  only  means  of 
hearing  the  gospel.  Truly  the  fields  are  white 
unto  harvest,  but  the  laborers  are  few.  After  a 
good  night's  rest  we  arose  on  Wednesday  morning 
refreshed  and  ready  for  a  day's  mission  work.  Our 
point  of  work  was  Hogarty,  where  another  Sabbath- 
School  Institute  was  to  be  held.  Our  intention  was 
to  walk  the  five  miles  to  this  place,  but  our  kind 
entertainers  drove  us  over  in  a  lumber  wagon.  The 
way  was  over  new  and  poorly  made  roads  and  the 
jolting  we  experienced  is  better  imagined  than  de- 
scribed. 

Stumps  to  the  right  of  us, 
Stumps  to  the  left  of  us, 
Stones  in  front  of  us. 

O'er  which  we  thundered, 

As  we  rode  on  to  duty. 

Hogarty  was  reached  in  good  time.  In  addition 
to  the  assembled  people  of  the  settlement,  we  were 
joined  by  Mr.  Mack,  with  a  party  from  Wausau, 
they  having  driven  eighteen  miles.  The  service 
was  a  very  helpful  one,  and  was  much  appreciated 
by  the  people.  Time,  on  such  occasions,  flies  rap- 
idly, and  the  hour  for  our  departure  came  all  too 
soon.  The  friendly  good-byes  were  spoken,  and  we 
joined  the  Wausau  party  for  their  homeward  ride. 
Thus  ended  our  three  days'  mission  tour,  leaving 
behind  it  a  train  of  sunny  memories. 


CHAPTER  VIII 

AFTER  TEN  YEARS 

Come  unto  me,  all  ye  that  labor  and  are  heavy  laden,  and  I  will 
give  you  rest. — Matt,  ii  :28. 

I.  A  Day  in  the  Northwest. 

II.  Out  in  the  Highways  and  Hedges. 

III.  Strenuous  Work. 

IV.  The   Manifold   Character  of   Sabbath- 

School  Missionary  Work. 
V.     Sabbath-School  Institutes. 
VI.     The  Messenger  of  Glad  Tidings. 


I.      A    DAY    IN   the   northwest. 

March  ^th,  iSgy. — Left  home  this  morning  at 
two  o'clock  for  Woodville  to  visit  a  missionary  dis- 
trict in  the  Chippewa  Presbytery,  under  the  care  of 
Charles  Lawson.  This  was  an  early  start  on  a 
winter  morning,  but  duty  called.  That  is  to  the 
earnest  Sabbath-School  missionary  the  voice  of 
God — duty  and  blessing  always  go  hand  in  hand. 

I  had  sweet  thoughts  given  to  me  as  I  journeyed 
to  my  destination.     These  will  be  of  use  to  me  in 
future  addresses.     I  found  a  fine  text  in  Luke  3  :  2 
— "  The  word  of  God  came  unto  John  in  the  wilder 
88 


AFTER   TEN   YEARS  89 

ness."  Yes,  this  world  is  a  wilderness  to  man  in  his 
natural  state.  Look  at  the  figure  a  little  while  and 
draw  from  it  some  lessons  that  will  be  helpful.  The 
coming  of  the  "  Word  of  God "  to  man  is  the 
dawning  of  a  new  life,  in  which  new  thoughts  and 
purposes  become  the  ruling  factors  of  living. 

I  reached  Woodville  at  9  :  30,  and  was  met  by 
Mr.  Lawson.  We  had  to  wait  an  hour  in  the  depot 
to  get  a  train  to  take  us  to  Spring  Valley,  a  distance 
of  fourteen  miles  in  the  interior  of  the  country. 
The  time  was  spent  in  profitable  conversation.  Mr. 
Lawson  read  an  interesting  letter  from  a  lady,  tell- 
ing of  the  good  done  by  the  Sabbath-School  or- 
ganized in  her  district,  and  asking  for  an  early  visit 
and  service.  Such  letters  call  for  great  work  on  the 
part  of  ministers  and  Sabbath-School  missionaries. 
We  reached  Spring  Valley,  a  town  of  800  inhabi- 
tants, at  one  o'clock.  It  contains  seven  saloons  and 
a  Congregational  church.  We  took  dinner  there. 
We  then  rode  ten  miles  in  a  wagon  sledge  reach- 
ing our  destination  about  three  o'clock.  We  held 
a  service  in  the  evening  and  had  a  good  meeting. 
What  a  field  for  Christian  work  is  presented  in  our 
farming  district !  So  vast,  so  scattered,  so  needy  ! 
A  moving  agency  is  needed  to  meet  it. 

March  6th,  i8gj. — We  spent  the  night  in  the 
home  of  Mr.  Young.  A  bright  day,  but  the  snow 
deep.  We  visited  five  families  ;  prayed  with  two  of 
them.  We  held  two  services :  one  at  two  o'clock, 
the  other  at  7 :  30.     Both  good  meetings,  and  the 


90         SABBATH-SCHOOL   MISSIONS   IN   WISCONSIN 

Spirit  manifestly  present.  The  evening  service  was 
crowded.  At  the  close,  several  men  and  women 
stood  up,  indicating  their  desire  to  be  Christians. 
This  is  a  fine  field  for  religious  work. 

Sabbathy  March  ythy  iSgy. — This  has  been  a 
stormy  day,  with  six  inches  of  snow.  We  held 
Sabbath-School  and  three  other  services — two  at 
Rock  Elm  and  one  at  Waverly.  The  hall  at  Rock 
Elm  was  crowded  morning  and  evening  with  intelli- 
gent and  appreciative  audiences.  There  was  evi- 
dence of  good  done  at  all  of  these  meetings.  It 
was  cheering  to  hear  the  testimony  of  the  changed 
lives  of  the  people,  especially  of  the  young  men 
and  women ;  and  of  their  readiness  to  do  good 
work.  Indeed,  the  whole  community  has  been 
awakened  as  never  before  in  the  history  of  the  set- 
tlement. This  is  practical  evidence  of  the  good 
that  is  being  done  by  Sabbath-School  mission- 
aries. 

I  found  this  missionary  trip  rather  tough  work, 
surrounded,  as  it  was,  with  such  wintry  conditions. 
But  here  comes  in  the  heroism  of  this  Christlike 
work.  As  I  looked  over  this  field,  originated  by 
the  planting  and  fostering  of  a  great  Sabbath- 
School,  I  was  made  to  see  and  feel  in  an  impressive 
manner  its  value.  It  opens  wide  doors  for  our 
Church  to  enter  in  ;  it  promises  to  possess  the  land ; 
it  offers  to  Christian  workers  full  opportunity  to  do 
their  share  in  saving  these  scattered  country  dis- 
tricts for  Christ. 


AFTER  TEN  YEARS  9 I 

II.   OUT  IN  THE  HIGHWAYS  AND  HEDGES. 

March  zyth,  i8gy. — I  came  to  Westfield  and  vis- 
ited four  families.  The  day  was  fine,  and  I  met 
many  on  the  street.  I  went  to  Harrisville  in  the 
evening  and  had  a  good  meeting — forty  being  pres- 
ent. The  night  was  not  dark,  our  drive  being 
Hghted  by  the  stars.  It  was  eleven  o'clock  when 
we  returned. 

March  28th. — The  day  fine,  the  sun  shining.  I 
held  three  services  and  spoke  five  times — three 
times  in  Westfield  and  twice  at  the  Flats.  I  had 
good  meetings  with  appreciative  audiences.  The 
evening  service  was  crowded. 

March  2gth. — I  visited  six  families  in  Westfield. 
I  left  Westfield  at  2  p.  m.  and  drove  eleven  miles 
into  the  country.  I  called  at  six  homes  and  left 
word  about  the  meeting.  I  reached  Spring  Prairie 
District  about  5  :  30  p.  m.  I  lodged  and  had  supper 
in  a  kind  home.  I  went  to  the  schoolhouse  and 
had  a  good  meeting.  There  were  fifty  persons 
present  and  they  gave  good  attention.  I  presented 
the  importance  of  a  Sabbath-School.  The  one 
here  was  closed  for  the  winter  but  it  will  be  opened 
in  a  short  time.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Griffith  preaches 
here  frequently. 

March  joth. — I  started  out  on  a  mission  tour  at 
9  A.  M.  I  visited  six  famihes  and  drove  six  miles 
before  halting  at  a  kind  home  for  dinner.  The  day 
was  fine.  I  went  to  Buckhorn  Prairie  schoolhouse 
at   2 :  30  p.  M.  and  held  service  there.     Thirty-six 


92  SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS    IN   WISCONSIN 

people  were  present.  We  had  a  pleasant  meeting 
and  a  Sabbath-School  was  organized.  A  resolution 
was  formed  to  build  a  little  chapel  for  Sabbath- 
School  and  preaching  services  ;  and  also  to  be  used 
in  other  ways  for  the  Christian  elevation  of  the  peo- 
ple. I  shook  hands  heartily  with  the  people,  bid- 
ding them  good-bye.  This  closed  the  first  after- 
noon service  ever  held  in  that  district.  It  was 
interesting  to  see  men  leaving  their  work  and  com- 
ing just  as  they  were  to  the  meeting.  Five  men, 
who  were  sawing  wood  with  a  machine  driven  by 
horse-power,  came  gladly  to  hear  the  Word  of  God 
preached.  I  drove  seven  miles  through  the  woods 
to  where  another  service  was  to  be  held.  The 
meeting  took  place  in  the  home  of  Louis  Brooks  at 
7  :  30  P.  M.  Forty  persons  were  present.  They  had 
come  from  their  farm  homes  for  several  miles 
around.  All  seemed  to  enjoy  the  sweet  and  simple 
service  in  the  home.  I  was  much  impressed  with 
the  beauty  and  benefits  that  come  from  such  meet- 
ings in  such  needy  places. 

March  jist. — The  weather  fine,  but  cold  and 
windy.  Sand,  in  great  clouds,  was  blown  about  us. 
I  had  a  drive  of  ten  miles  to  the  next  station.  I 
made  four  visits  by  the  way,  and  took  dinner  at 
Mrs.  Frank  Pond's.  I  reached  McGregor's  at  3  p.  m. 
Here  I  halted  for  the  day,  and  was  made  to  feel 
at  home ;  as  is  usual  everywhere  we  go.  Held 
service  in  the  chapel  at  7  :  30.  Fifty  persons  were 
present  notwithstanding  the  stormy  weather  and  the 


AFTER    TEN    YEARS  93 

darkness  of  the  night.  The  evening  meeting  was  a 
memorable  one,  it  being  our  first  one  here  since  the 
accident  on  the  5th  of  July  last,  which  took  place 
in  this  district.  The  chapel  has  been  grandly  im- 
proved by  the  people  at  considerable  expense.  It 
is  a  picture  of  neatness  and  comfort — a  fit  place  for 
all  kinds  of  meetings.  In  addition  to  these  im- 
provements by  the  people,  a  handsome  new  pulpit 
adorns  the  platform  and  makes  the  whole  a  thing  of 
beauty.  This  pulpit  is  a  gift  from  Mr.  Joseph 
Brown  and  his  family  as  a  thank-offering  to  God  for 
his  restoration  to  health  and  work  again  in  the 
needy  fields  of  Wisconsin.  The  presentation  of  the 
pulpit,  by  Mr.  Brooks,  took  place  in  the  first  part 
of  the  service.  Rev.  J.  H.  Griffith  offered  up  a 
solemn  and  appropriate  thanksgiving  prayer,  after 
which  the  service  was  continued,  and  was  highly 
appreciated  by  the  people. 

Mr.  Griffith  has  often  ministered  to  these  people 
and  by  his  faithful  labors  has  gained  a  warm  place 
in  their  hearts.  This  chapel  was  the  first  Sabbath- 
School  chapel  erected  in  this  state  in  connection 
with  Presbyterian  Sabbath-School  mission  work. 
The  ^100.00  given  to  help  in  its  erection  was  from 
the  Wenonah  Sabbath-School  of  New  Jersey.  The 
example  of  the  Wenonah  School  has  since  been 
nobly  followed  by  many  others,  whose  names  will 
one  day  form  a  grand  roll  of  honor. 

April  1st. — I  started  out  on  missionary  duty  again 
and  made  some  visits,  and  then  had  dinner.     When 


94         SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS   IN    WISCONSIN 

a  missionary  halts  for  dinner  at  a  farm  home,  work 
is  suspended  for  the  time  being  that  all  may  join  in 
the  conversation.  I  drove  to  Poolridge  school- 
house,  five  miles  from  where  I  dined.  Here  a  Sab- 
bath-School and  other  occasional  services  are  held. 
That  the  people  love  such  services  was  evident  from 
the  fact  that  nearly  forty  persons  attended  the  meet- 
ing held  at  2 :  30  P.  m.  The  appreciation  of  the 
people  was  great.  Though  very  poor,  they  are 
contemplating  the  erection  of  a  small  Sabbath- 
School  chapel  for  the  benefit  of  the  district.  Could 
the  eyes  of  our  Church  have  been  turned  to  this 
meeting  a  wave  of  Christlike  compassion  would 
have  been  aroused  as  the  deep  needs  of  the  people 
stood  revealed. 

A  drive  of  ten  miles,  and  another  service  at  7  :  30 
p.  M.  at  McGregor  Wenonah  Church,  finished  the 
work  of  the  day.  Thus  ended  six  days  of  associ- 
ated work  with  Rev.  J.  H.  Griffith  away  out  among 
the  highways  and  hedges.  Every  part  of  the  work 
was  a  success,  all  being  covered  with  rich  blessings 
of  Almighty  God. 

III.      STRENUOUS  WORK. 

May  1st,  2d,  and  3d,  1897,  were  spent  in  the  mis- 
sion field  extending  from  Aniwa  to  Schofield,  in- 
cluding Hogarty,  Johnston,  Knowles  and  Kelly. 
At  all  these  places  a  work  of  grace  is  being  done 
under  the  fostering  care  of  Mr.  Strandt.  The  work 
is  not  alike  in  its  development ;  parts  of  it  are  bet- 


AFTER   TEN   YEARS  95 

ter  than  others.  One  thing  I  noted :  wherever  I 
found  a  Sabbath-School  in  good  working  order, 
there  the  best  progress  was  seen. 

The  work  at  Hogarty  needs  more  Sabbath-School 
and  preaching  services.  I  took  occasion  to  point 
out  the  need  of  more  loyalty  to  the  great  Presbyte- 
rian Church,  which  had  planted  and  fostered  this 
blessed  work,  especially  in  relation  to  using  its  les- 
son helps  and  religious  books.  This  I  consider  right 
and  proper,  and  it  can  be  easily  accomphshed  if  those 
in  charge  will  guide  the  minds  of  the  people  along 
right  hnes.  Such  guidance  is  a  blessing  to  the  peo- 
ple and  to  the  work,  and  is  all  the  more  necessary 
in  view  of  the  multitude  of  "  claims  and  peculiar 
views  or  ideas  "  which  are  abroad,  many  of  which 
are  not  favorable  to  our  churches. 

My  present  visit  to  Aniwa  was  of  special  interest 
as  it  gave  me  the  first  sight  of  the  new  church  build- 
ing, which  is  near  completion.  Sabbath-School  and 
other  services  are  already  being  held  in  it.  This 
work  has  been  grandly  helped  by  the  young  peo- 
ple of  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church  of  Camden, 
N.  J.,  and  by  one  of  the  worthy  elders  of  the  North 
Broad  Street  Presbyterian  Church,  of  Philadelphia. 
A  grand  effort  will  soon  be  made  to  finish  the  build- 
ing. When  completed,  it  will  be  an  honor  to  God 
and  a  blessing  to  the  people. 

One  result  of  this  noble  effort  made  by  the  Pres- 
byterians was  to  stir  the  Lutherans  to  duty.  They 
said,  "  If  such  a  small  body  of  people  can  build  a 


96         SABBATH-SCIIOOL   MISSIONS    IN   WISCONSIN 

house  for  God,  we,  too,  can  do  so."  So  they  began 
the  good  work  of  building  a  church  home.  In  this 
we  have  a  tangible  and  beautiful  illustration  of 
"  provoking  to  love  and  to  good  works."  Hebrews 
10:  24. 

Monday y  May  6th. — After  getting  a  little  rest,  and 
having  answered  all  letters,  I  again  set  out  to  do 
work  in  the  needy  fields  of  western  Clark  County. 
I  went  by  train  to  Spokeville,  and  then  walked  eight 
miles  to  a  mission  field  where  a  little  chapel,  twenty 
by  thirty  feet,  is  in  course  of  erection.  I  called  at 
the  farm  home  of  Mr.  Haselett,  whose  wife  is  a 
grand  Sabbath-School  worker.  I  there  learned  that 
work  on  the  chapel  building  would  soon  be  taken 
up  and  pushed  forwards  to  completion. 

Friday,  May  jth. — I  started  early,  having  a  big 
day's  work  mapped  out.  One  has  to  follow  a  pre- 
arranged plan  to  have  good  success  in  mission  work. 
The  day  was  fine  and  the  roads  fairly  good.  I 
went  to  the  brick  Sabbath-School  mission  in  order 
to  arrange  for  a  service  there  on  Sabbath  at  3 
P.  M., — this  service  to  be  preparatory  to  reorganizing 
the  Sabbath-School.  This  school  has  been  closed 
for  nearly  two  years  and  no  sermon  in  English  has 
been  delivered  in  the  last  eight  months.  This  serv- 
ice arranged,  I  rested  for  dinner.  After  dinner  I 
started  to  a  new  field  twelve  miles  away.  Halted  at 
the  Free  settlement  and  arranged  for  service  at  7:30. 
Reaching  the  Sprague  District,  the  end  of  the  set- 
tlement, I   found  seven   families   with  no  means  of 


AFTER   TEN   YEARS  97 

grace.  I  was  most  kindly  received  and  arranged 
to  organize  a  Sabbath-School.  The  school-teacher 
and  a  young  lady  will  take  charge  of  it.  The  serv- 
ice in  Free  settlement  was  a  grand  one.  The  audi- 
ence was  great  and  the  interest  deep.  Eight  months 
had  passed  since  their  last  service.  I  arranged  to 
get  the  Sabbath-School  reorganized.  Thus  the  day 
was  finished.  Miles  traveled,  twenty-four ;  famihes 
visited,  ten.  Many  picture  cards  and  tracts  were 
given  to  the  people  by  the  way,  in  the  homes,  and 
at  the  meeting.  The  seed  was  being  sown  broadcast. 
Saturday,  May  8th. — I  started  away  early  from  the 
farmer's  home,  after  being  kindly  entertained.  The 
morning  was  refreshing,  all  nature  being  beautifully 
painted  by  the  hand  of  God.  I  drove  twelve  miles 
to  Hevvittsville,  where  I  visited  many  families  and 
made  arrangements  for  service  on  the  Sabbath  at 

IO:OOA.  M. 

Sabbath,  May  gth. — This  was  a  busy  and  suc- 
cessful day.  I  drove  twenty  miles,  and  held  three 
services,  all  of  which  were  well  attended  and  much 
appreciated.  At  two  of  the  places  they  have  had 
no  service  for  eight  months.  The  Sabbath-School 
was  reorganized  at  the  Black  District  and  placed  in 
charge  of  a  fine  young  man. 

Wednesday,  May  12th. — I  paid  a  visit  to  Merrill 
and  Wausau,  and  made  calls  at  both  places.  In  the 
evening  I  went  with  Mr.  Carrier  to  his  prayer  meet- 
ing. We  had  a  good  meeting,  and  I  spoke  a  few 
loving  words.     Brotherly  love  is  sweet  and  helpful. 


98  SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS    IN   WISCONSIN 

Thursday,  May  ijth. — I  went  to  the  Free  District 
with  Mr.  Hill,  of  Neillsville.  We  drove  twenty-six 
miles.  The  schoolhouse  was  crowded  and  Mr.  Hill 
preached  a  good  sermon.  At  the  close,  the  Sab- 
bath-School was  reorganized,  supplied  with  mate- 
rial, and  put  in  good  order. 

Saturday y  May  i^th. — I  went  to  Nora  and  Deer- 
field,  by  invitation,  to  do  a  little  fostering  and  en- 
couraging. At  each  of  these  places  there  were 
helpful  meetings  and  good  seemed  to  be  done. 
The  Sabbath-School  is  promising.  In  this  field  as 
well  as  in  others,  I  am  deeply  impressed  with  the 
fact  that  our  Church  has  a  great  work  to  do  in 
bringing  the  gospel  to  the  people  in  an  earnest  and 
loving  manner. 

Wednesday ,  May  igth, — I  left  home  to  attend  the 
General  Assembly  at  Eagle  Lake,  Ind.  I  halted  at 
Milwaukee  in  order  to  give  an  address  on  Sabbath- 
School  missionary  work  at  the  Emmanuel  Presbyte- 
rian Church  prayer  meeting.  This  I  did  in  response 
to  the  kind  invitation  of  the  pastor.  The  address  was 
sympathetically  received  and  warmed  the  hearts  of 
the  hearers  to  our  great  work.  Noble  words  of  ap- 
preciation were  spoken  by  several  who  were  present, 
all  of  which  went  to  prove  what  the  pastor  said  to 
me  at  the  close  of  the  meeting  :  •'  Your  visit  and 
address  have  done  us  all  good." 

I  reached  the  Assembly  on  Thursday.  It  was  a 
privilege  to  enjoy  the  benefits  of  the  meetings  dur- 
ing the  few  days  I  was  there.     The  public  meeting 


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AFTER   TEN   YEARS  99 

on  Sabbath-School  work,  which  took  place  on  Fri- 
day night,  May  2ist,  was  the  principal  object  of  my 
visit,  as  I  had  been  asked  to  give  an  address  on  that 
occasion.  I  was  associated  with  noble  men  as 
speakers  ;  we  had  a  spirit-filled  audience,  and  the 
meeting  was  one  of  memorable  success.  It  was  said, 
by  one  competent  to  judge,  to  have  been  one  of  the 
best  meetings  of  the  kind  ever  held.  This,  with  the 
exchange  of  loving  greetings  from  many  of  the  dele- 
gates present,  made  another  ♦*  sunny  memory." 
Refreshed  with  this  experience  we  hurried  back  to 
take  up  again  our  much-loved  work. 

Saturday,  May  2gth. — I  set  out  to-day  to  join  Mr. 
Lawson  in  a  missionary  tour  in  a  field  in  the  Presby- 
tery of  Chippewa.  We  held  three  services  in  Ca- 
dott — one  on  Saturday  night,  and  two  on  the  Sab- 
bath. At  all  of  the  services  the  audiences  were 
large  and  the  interest  great.  At  the  last  service,  a 
goodly  number  indicated  their  desire  to  become 
Christians.  A  great  stimulus  was  given  to  the  Sab- 
bath-School work  so  ably  directed  by  Miss  Delia 
Felch,  under  the  guidance  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Waller, 
who  preaches  there  every  other  Sabbath. 

Monday,  May  Jist. — Mr.  Lawson  and  myself  set 
out  early,  with  a  good  team,  on  a  well-planned  mis- 
sionary tour,  to  the  regions  beyond  Cadott,  easterly 
fifty  miles.  We  visited  six  school  districts  and 
made  numerous  visits  ;  organized  one  Sabbath- 
School,  reorganized  another,  and  finished  with  a 
grand  rally  of  the  people  at  Estella  schoolhouse  on 


100       SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS   IN   WISCONSIN 

Monday  night,  when  over  one  hundred  persons 
were  gathered  together  from  far  and  near.  It  was 
a  memorable  service  in  every  way,  and  the  people, 
out  of  loving  hearts,  gave  a  collection  which  more 
than  paid  the  whole  expense  of  the  trip. 

It  is  gratifying  to  be  able  to  report  good  work 
done  over  the  state  by  the  missionaries  during  the 
month  of  May,  upwards  of  twenty  Sabbath-Schools 
having  been  organized. 

IV.      THE    MANIFOLD   CHARACTER  OF  SABBATH-SCHOOL 

MISSIONARY   WORK. 

Wednesday,  June  2d,  i8gj. — I  set  out  this  morn- 
ing at  6:15  for  Cedar  Grove,  in  Sheboygan  County. 
Our  purpose  was  twofold :  To  give  an  address  on 
Sabbath-School  missionary  work  before  the  Presby- 
terian church,  through  the  kind  invitation  of  the 
pastor  ;  and  to  meet  Mr.  Wm.  Thomson,  our  new 
Sabbath-School  missionary  for  the  Presbytery  of 
Milwaukee,  and  conduct  him  to  the  fields  within 
his  bounds.  Both  of  these  objects  were  accom- 
plished. 

The  people  of  Cedar  Grove  church  expressed 
their  interest  in  missions  by  a  substantial  contribu- 
tion of  money  to  the  Board.  Mr.  Thomson  entered 
his  field  of  labor  after  being  commended  to  God  in 
prayer.  It  was  our  privilege  to  have  an  extended 
conference  with  Dr.  Roth  on  important  matters  in 
connection  with  the  future  work  of  our  Church. 
The  towns  and  regions  along  the  lake  show  Pres- 


AFTER    TEN    YEARS  lOI 

byterian  work  here  and  there  only.  This  seems 
hardly  as  it  should  be,  and  should  prompt  to  better 
effort  in  the  future  for  the  extension  of  our  denom- 
ination. 

Saturday  and  SabbatJi,  June  5,  6. — These  two 
days  were  spent  with  Mr.  Mack  at  a  grand  Sabbath- 
School  Institute  held  in  the  fine  new  church  of 
Wausau,  under  the  direction  of  Rev.  W.  O.  Carrier, 
assisted  by  Messrs.  Strandt  and  Hamilton,  the  two 
field  workers  of  the  Wausau  Church.  The  meetings 
held  were  six  in  number,  three  each  day.  The 
papers  and  addresses  were  able  and  appropriate  to 
the  occasion.  At  all  of  the  meetings  the  interest 
was  great.  On  the  Sabbath  the  audiences  were  large 
and  composed  of  delegations  from  Sabbath-School 
mission  fields  extending  to  a  distance  of  twenty- 
four  miles.  The  fifth  session  of  the  Institute,  which 
took  place  on  Sabbath  afternoon  at  2:30,  was  one 
which  will  not  soon  be  forgotten  by  those  who  were 
present.  The  delegates  from  each  of  the  Sabbath- 
Schools  presented  reports,  setting  forth  the  wonder- 
ful benefits  that  have  come  to  the  people  of  each 
settlement.  The  facts  were  impressive  and  they 
were  told  with  a  beauty  of  expression  and  with  a 
pathos  that  appealed  to  the  hearts  of  the  hearers 
and  bedimmed  the  eyes  of  many  with  sympathetic 
tears. 

Tuesday,  May  8th. — I  set  out  at  1:22  a.  m.  for 
Cambridge,  on  a  visit  to  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Bain  and 
Woodhead,   Sabbath -School    missionaries.     Halted 


102       SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS   IN   WISCONSIN 

at  Cambridge  to  be  present  at  the  installation  of  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Breeze.  Two  services  were  held,  one  in 
the  afternoon  and  one  in  the  evening,  both  of  which 
were  of  interest  to  the  people.  I  was  called  upon 
to  take  part  in  each  of  the  services.  At  the  service 
in  the  afternoon,  two  addresses  were  delivered  upon 
Sabbath-School  missionary  work,  one  by  Rev.  Mr. 
McNary,  the  other  by  myself.  In  this  way  our 
Sabbath-School  cause  was  helped  greatly.  The 
Rev.  Mr.  Bill  also  spoke.  He  made  a  kind  allusion 
to  the  work  and  gave  an  able  address  on  the  pastor 
as  sent  of  God. 

Wednesday,  May  gth. — I  went  on  to  the  mission 
district  of  Arhngton,  where  I  met  Mr.  Bain.  A 
splendid  meeting  was  held  in  the  evening.  The 
audience  was  large  and  the  interest  great.  Out  of 
loving  hearts  they  gave  a  good  collection  for  Sab- 
bath-School mission  work. 

Early  on  Thursday  morning,  Mr.  Bain  and  I 
parted  for  duty,  after  planning  future  work.  I 
drove  out  into  the  country,  made  several  visits,  and 
then  took  the  train  for  Beaver  Dam.  While  at 
Beaver  Dam  I  met  Mr.  Woodhead  and  conferred 
with  him  as  to  his  work.  He  had  planned  for  a 
meeting  in  the  Lowell  chapel,  but,  owing  to  rain,  it 
did  not  take  place.  We  were  there,  however,  and 
had  the  pleasure  of  meeting  the  pastors  of  Beaver 
Dam,  both  of  whom  are  ready  to  help  in  this  blessed 
rescue  work. 

Sunday,  June  ijth. — Sabbath  last  was  a  day  of 


AFTER   TEN   YEARS  I03 

days  at  the  Nasonville  Presbyterian  Church.  Chil- 
dren and  parents  turned  out  to  celebrate  Children's 
Day.  The  number  and  beauty  of  the  audience  were 
greater  and  grander  than  ever  before.  Over  four 
hundred  were  present,  in  and  around  the  church. 
The  exercises  were  fine  and  were  much  enjoyed. 
The  meeting  was  one  of  the  best  held  and  reflected 
great  credit  on  all  concerned.  Addresses  were  de- 
livered by  Messrs.  Joseph  Brown  and  Clark  Mack. 
Ten  dollars  were  given  as  a  collection  for  Sabbath- 
School  mission  work. 

Monday,  June  i^th. — This  was  a  day  to  be  re- 
membered at  Harper  Mission  Chapel,  six  miles 
from  Colby.  All  labor  was  suspended,  and  parents 
and  children  turned  out  en  masse  to  celebrate  Chil- 
dren's Day.  The  people,  to  the  number  of  one 
hundred  and  thirty  sat  down  to  a  fine  dinner  in  the 
shady  forest  near  the  chapel.  At  the  head  of  the 
table  was  seated  the  Rev.  Mr.  Brickies,  and  on  the 
right  Joseph  Brown  and  Charles  Mack,  who  were 
present  by  special  request,  to  take  part  in  the  beau- 
tiful exercises  of  the  day.  Looking  down  the  table 
so  bountifully  filled  and  so  finely  surrounded  by 
bright  happy  people,  made  one  think  of  Pentecostal 
times  when  ''  they  had  all  things  in  common."  The 
company  gathered  in  the  chapel  at  three  o'clock  and 
a  profitable  service  took  place  in  which  suitable  ad- 
dresses were  given.  At  the  close,  a  collection  of 
five  dollars  was  given  to  the  Sabbath-School  mis- 
sion work  of  our  Church.     This  ended  another  of 


104       SABBATII-SCHOOL    MISSIONS    IN   WISCONSIN 

these  services  that  go  to  brighten  and  strengthen 
the  whole  hfe  of  a  settlement. 

Sabbath,  June  20th. — This  was  a  day  of  extra 
hard  work.  I  was  on  duty  from  9  A.  m.  until  10:30 
p.  M.  At  10:00  A.  M.  I  attended  Children's  Day 
service  at  Shortville.  Some  three  hundred  persons 
were  present.  It  was  a  grand  success.  I  drove  ten 
miles  to  Deh's  Dam  in  order  to  be  present  at  the 
Children's  Day  service,  which  took  place  at  3  p.  m. 
This  service  was  notable  in  the  completeness  of  the 
exercises,  and  in  showing  the  knowledge  of  the 
Bible  possessed  by  the  scholars.  Collections  for 
Sabbath-School  work  were  given  at  both  places.  I 
again  drove  eight  miles  to  another  service  in  the 
chapel  of  the  "  Prince  of  Peace,"  in  Pine  Valley. 
The  chapel  was  filled  with  people  from  the  scattered 
homes,  hungry  for  the  gospel.  Thus  ended  a  day 
of  much  blessing. 

June  22d,  2jd  and  2/^th  were  days  of  important 
service  and  reception.  They  were  spent  at  the 
grand  Synodical  Sabbath-School  Institute  at  Fair- 
field, Iowa.  The  meetings  held  were  seven  in  num- 
ber, and  were  pervaded  by  the  spirit  of  God  and 
blessed  by  the  earnest  and  helpful  addresses  of  men 
selected  for  the  occasion.  This  gathering  was  a  fine 
example  of  the  hearty  cooperation  of  all  branches 
of  our  churches,  the  Sabbath-School  mission  work 
among  them.  This  part  of  Christian  work  is  being 
grandly  done  by  Mr.  Ferguson  and  his  coworkers, 
supported  by  all  the  pastors  in  the  Synod.     From 


AFTER  TEN  YEARS  IO5 

what  we  saw  and  heard  at  this  Institute,  it  is  evi- 
dent that  the  Presbyterian  host  of  the  army  of 
the  Lord  in  Iowa,  is  a  noble,  loyal,  and  compact 
body. 

Sabbath,  June  2ph. — I  attended  a  Children's 
Day  service  at  Woodland  Sabbath-School,  a  few 
miles  from  Marshfield.  This  Sabbath-School  is 
composed  of  children  of  foreign  extraction,  who  are 
there  being  taught  of  God.  It  was  pleasing  to  see 
the  progress  that  is  being  made.  The  whole  service 
went  to  show  the  good  that  is  being  done  in  im- 
proving the  habits  and  manners  of  those  who  at- 
tend. Though  very  poor,  they  gave  a  collection  of 
$i.SO  for  Sabbath-School  mission  work. 

Monday,  June  28th.-~l  went  to  Rural  in  order  to 
be  present  at  the  Sabbath-School  Institute  at  Wau- 
paca Lake,  which  was  •  to  take  place  the  next  day. 
On  that  day  a  fine  rally  of  the  people  of  Rural, 
Badger  and  Sheridan  took  place.  The  service 
lasted  from  10:30  until  six  in  the  evening.  This 
included  the  dinner  hour,  important  in  many  ways 
and  very  helpful  in  binding  communities  together. 
In  addition  to  the  pastor  and  myself,  Mr.  Mack  and 
Rev.  C.  Smith,  of  Oshkosh,  were  there  to  help,  so 
that  with  singing,  recitations,  papers  and  addresses, 
the  day  was  replete  with  blessing.  The  spiritual 
atmosphere  of  this  Institute  was  like  all  the  others 
held — of  a  very  helpful  kind,  making  all  present  feel 
that  it  was  good  to  be  there. 

Wednesday,  June  joth. — I  made  my  way  to  Mil- 


I06       SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS   IN   WISCONSIN 

waukee  to  meet  Mr.  Thomson,  Sabbath-School 
missionary,  there.  I  was  pleased  to  learn  that  he 
had  succeeded,  with  the  help  of  some  of  the  breth- 
ren, in  organizing  a  Sabbath-School  in  a  needy 
portion  of  the  city,  which  by  fostering  care,  may 
soon  develop  into  a  church  and  thus  promote  the 
highest  good  of  that  great  city.  It  has  been  adopted 
by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Chapin  and  his  church  and  will  be 
a  fine  outlet  to  their  Christian  activities.  I  was 
privileged  to  speak  at  Perseverance  Church  prayer 
meeting  that  night,  and  I  took  occasion  to  com- 
mend and  stimulate  them  to  generous  action  in  re- 
lation to  their  newly  adopted  work.  They  all 
seemed  pleased. 

During  the  month  of  June  seventeen  Sabbath- 
Schools  have  been  organized  by  our  missionaries 
in  this  state.  This  means  increased  responsibilities 
on  the  part  of  our  Church  as  well  as  increased 
blessings  to  the  community.  So,  Lord,  help  all  of 
us  to  do  our  duty  faithfully,  cheerfully  and  well. 

V.      SABBATH-SCHOOL    INSTITUTES. 

An  interesting  series  of  Sabbath-School  Insti- 
tutes, beginning  July  31st,  and  ending  August  8th, 
1897,  were  arranged  and  superintended  by  Rev. 
James  Bain,  Sabbath-School  missionary  of  the 
Madison  Presbytery.  The  four  Institutes  which 
convened  during  that  time  were  divided  into  thir- 
teen sessions  ;  praise  and  prayer,  reading  of  papers 
bearing  on  the  work  of  the  Sabbath-School,  ser- 


AFTER  TEN  YEARS  IO7 

mons  and  addresses,  combined  to  make  each  session 
instructive  and  helpful. 

The  districts  blessed  by  this  means  of  grace  were 
Deerfield,  Verona,  Rocky  Run  and  Caledonia. 
Our  hearts  were  cheered  and  encouraged  by  large 
and  attentive  audiences.  As  an  evidence  of  the 
high  appreciation  of  this  branch  of  Sabbath-School 
mission  work,  the  farmers  residing  in  the  various 
districts  laid  aside  their  harvesting  in  order  to  enjoy 
the  privilege  of  attending  the  services  ;  and  the 
general  impression  was  that  the  blessings  received 
were  more  than  worthy  of  any  self-denial  they  had 

made. 

In  addition  to  the  work  of  Mr.  Bain  and  myself, 
ten  neighboring  pastors  took  part.  Twenty  Sab- 
bath-Schools were  represented. 

Closely  following  upon  the  series  of  Institutes  in 
Madison  Presbytery  came  an  interesting  season  of 
similar  work  in  the  Presbytery  of  Milwaukee. 
Three  Institutes  were  held,  lasting  four  days.  The 
material  contributed  at  each  of  these  was  of  the 
highest  order,  and  tended  to  stimulate  and  improve 
the  work  of  the  Sabbath-Schools. 

The  places  in  which  the  Institutes  convened  were 
Horicon,  Waupun  and  North  Lowell.  These  serv- 
ices were  attended  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  towns 
in  which  they  were  held  and  also  by  the  people  of 
the  surrounding  country  districts  ;  an  idea  may  be 
formed  from  this  of  the  far-reaching  good  accom- 
plished. 


I08       SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS    IN   WISCONSIN 

Another  interesting  series  of  Institutes,  continu- 
ing for  four  days,  was  held  in  Winnebago  Presby- 
tery, superintended  by  Missionary  Clark  Mack. 
These,  like  the  others,  were  a  great  success,  large 
and  interested  audiences  attending.  Mr.  Mack  and 
myself  were  grandly  aided  by  twelve  pastors,  and 
also  by  helpful  prayers  from  teachers  and  superin- 
tendents. The  Institutes  were  conducted  in  Coulter- 
ville,  Dudley  and  McGregor.  At  Dudley  the  schol- 
ars from  one  of  the  Sabbath-Schools  represented, 
astonished  the  audience  by  their  excellent  work  in 
the  Bible  Memory  Class.  This  is  a  part  of  the 
work  of  the  Sabbath-School  which  is  worthy  of 
special  attention,  as  there  is  a  tendency  in  these 
times  to  depart  from  the  grand  old  plan  of  commit- 
ting the  Word  of  God  to  memory.  The  superin- 
tendent should  insist  that  scholars  memorize  choice 
portions  of  the  Scriptures  and  the  Shorter  Cate- 
chism ;  by  so  doing,  a  solid  foundation  for  the 
building  of  true  Christian  character  will  be  laid  in 
each  young  life. 

I  left  my  home  in  Marshfield  on  the  morning  of 
August  24th,  1897,  to  spend  six  days  in  Sabbath- 
School  Institute  work  within  the  boundary  of 
Chippewa  Presbytery;  the  work  was  planned  and 
directed  by  Rev.  Charles  Lawson,  missionary. 

The  Institutes,  five  in  number,  were  held  in 
Knapp,  Rock  Elm,  Emerald,  Bateman's  and  Estella  ; 
the  services  in  the  last  place  continuing  for  two 
days.      Sixteen     Sabbath-Schools    participated    in 


AFTER   TEN   YEARS  IO9 

the  benefits  of  these  meetings ;  also  large  num- 
bers of  people  who  came  from  all  parts  of  the 
settlements  to  enjoy  the  unusual  privileges.  The 
audience  expressed  their  hearty  appreciation  of 
these  meetings  and  evinced  an  earnest  desire  for 
more  of  this  work. 

In  concluding  this  blessed  week  of  labor  in  the 
rural  districts  of  this  Presbytery,  extending  one 
hundred  miles,  the  following  deep  impressions  were 
made  on  my  mind  : 

First. — The  large  number  of  families  who  are 
fainting  and  scattered  abroad,  as  sheep  having  no 
shepherd. 

Second. — The  adaptability  of  Sabbath-School 
missionary  work — as  carried  on  by  this  Board  of 
our  Church,  aided  by  the  earnest  prayers  and  efforts 
of  pastors,  elders  and  members — to  the  great  needs 
of  the  people. 

Third. — The  unexpressible  blessings  which  Sab- 
bath-School missionaries'  work  has  brought  to  many 
of  these  needy  fields.  This  fact  is  strikingly  em- 
phasized by  personal  testimony  and  by  the  changed 
condition  and  habits  of  the  people. 

Fourth. — An  urgent  call  from  such  fields  comes 
to  the  Presbyterian  Church  to  render  increased 
help  to  *'  the  perishing  "  in  all  needy  places.  The 
planting  and  helping  of  even  one  Sabbath-School 
in  such  districts  is  a  privilege  and  honor  of  which 
any  one  may  well  be  proud. 

The  mission  work  in  this  state  during  the  month 


no       SABBATH-SCIIOOL    MISSIONS    IN    WISCONSIN 

of  August  was  greater  than  any  yet  accomplished. 
I  personally  attended  forty  Institute  meetings  and 
delivered  thirty-six  addresses,  most  of  them  in  the 
open  groves  of  the  beautiful  woods  of  Wisconsin. 
Thus  through  the  associated  labors  of  missionaries, 
pastors  and  Sabbath-School  workers,  the  good  seed 
of  truth  has  been  sown  in  many  hearts. 

VI.      THE  MESSENGER  OF  GLAD  TIDINGS. 

Sabbath-School  conventions  in  country  districts 
have  become  a  great  means  of  grace,  tending  to 
improve  the  work  done  in  the  Sabbath-Schools,  and 
to  better  the  condition  of  the  people.  On  Novem- 
ber 5th,  6th  and  7th,  1897,  the  fourth  annual  Sab- 
bath-School convention  of  the  Winchester  district 
was  held.  All  of  the  sessions  were  well  attended, 
the  last  four  crowded.  The  benefits  received  were 
great,  and  the  people  testified  to  their  appreciation 
at  the  close  of  the  convention.  The  services  were 
grandly  aided  by  Rev.  Mr.  Badger,  of  Stevens 
Point.  His  sermons  will  long  be  remembered  by 
all  who  were  privileged  to  hear  them.  Mr.  Emer- 
son, of  South  Oshkosh,  did  efficient  service.  Mr. 
Sellers,  of  Winneconne,  presided.  Sabbath-School 
missionaries  Rev.  Joseph  Brown  and  Clark  Mack 
were  present  at  all  the  services,  ready  to  do  their 
best  to  promote  the  success  of  the  meetings.  The 
exercises  of  the  Sabbath-School  were  excellent  and 
showed  much  earnest  preparation.  The  material 
provision  made  for  the  people  was  splendid  and  re- 


AFTER   TEN   YEARS  III 

fleeted  finely  the  loving  hearts  of  the  kind  enter- 
tainers. It  was  pleasant,  indeed,  at  the  close  of  the 
convention,  to  hear  loving  words  spoken,  and  the 
hope  expressed  that  next  November  another  con- 
vention would  be  held. 


For  the  past  ten  days  our  work  has  been  out  in 
fields  far  from  cities  and  railroads.  In  all  such 
places  these  words  of  Scripture  are  very  applicable  : 
"  Blessed  are  the  feet  of  them  that  bring  glad 
tidings."  The  planting  of  a  Sabbath-School,  with 
visitation  and  occasional  preaching  of  the  gospel, 
bring  untold  blessings  to  the  people  of  such  com- 
munities. 

I  would  like  to  describe  the  labor  of  one  day  as 
a  sample  of  the  rest.  Let  me  take  the  trip  to 
"  Shanty  Town,"  a  mission  eighteen  miles  from 
Stevens  Point.  On  stepping  out  of  the  train  on 
the  morning  of  November  9th,  1897,  I  was  met  by 
Rev.  Jacob  Patch,  a  well-known  servant  of  the 
Master,  aged  eighty-two  years.  He  was  waiting 
with  his  team  to  convey  me  to  the  far-off  field. 
The  day  was  fine,  and,  in  spite  of  bad  roads,  our 
pleasant  converse  made  the  journey  seem  short. 
At  noon  the  district  of  Jordan  was  reached.  There 
we  halted  and  were  kindly  entertained  at  dinner. 
We  stopped  at  a  schoolhouse  near  by  and  made  a 
short  address  to  the  scholars.  Sabbath-School  and 
preaching  service  are  held  in  this  little  building. 
A  drive  of  ten  more  miles  brought  us  to  Shanty 


112       SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS    IN   WISCONSIN 

Town  where  we  partook  of  supper.  At  7  p.  m.  the 
schoolhouse  was  filled,  about  sixty  persons  being 
present,  many  coming  long  distances.  We  gave 
them  two  addresses,  one  for  the  children,  the  other 
for  all.  The  service  was  much  appreciated,  and  the 
meeting  ended  with  a  hearty  hand-shake.  The 
Sabbath-School  grows  grandly.  Material  for  a 
Presbyterian  chapel  has  been  provided  and  willing 
hands  will  assist  in  its  erection.  The  people  are 
worthy  of  all  that  is  being  done  for  them ;  they  are 
willing  to  help  themselves.  All  honor  to  "  Fa- 
ther Patch,"  as  the  people  lovingly  call  him,  for 
his  blessed  labors.  May  God's  blessing  rest  upon 
the  noble  work  which  is  being  done  there ! 


I  returned  on  the  15th  of  November,  1897,  from 
a  long  promised  visit  to  the  Waukesha  Presbyterian 
Church.  The  pastor,  Rev.  J.  G.  Blue,  kindly  set 
aside  the  time  for  the  presentation  of  the  claims  of 
the  Sabbath-School  work  to  his  people  in  the  con- 
gregation, Sabbath-School  and  Young  People's  So- 
ciety of  Christian  Endeavor.  We  had  a  fine  meet- 
ing. I  pray  that  the  seed  sown  will  bring  forth 
abundant  fruit.  I  had  the  privilege  of  addressing 
the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  also,  at 
which  meeting  eighty  young  men  were  present.  It 
did  our  hearts  good  to  see  the  building  so  finely 
adapted  to  the  work.  I  paid  a  visit  to  Carroll  Col- 
lege, by  the  invitation  of  Professor  Rankine,  and 


AFTER    TEN   YEARS  II3 

was  privileged  to  speak  a  few  words  to  the  students 
who  number  one  hundred  and  ten.  How  inspiring 
to  look  into  the  faces  of  so  many  young  men  and 
women  preparing  for  the  battle  of  hfe  !  After  a 
pleasant  drive  with  Mr.  Blue  around  the  beautiful 
city,  my  pleasant  visit  terminated. 


I  reached  home  on  November  22d,  1897,  after  a 
week  of  grand  work  in  company  with  Rev.  C.  R. 
Lawson,  missionary  for  Chippewa  Presbytery.  The 
meetings  were  held  in  Rock  Elm  and  Waverly,  in 
Pierce  County.  The  sessions  were  crowded  with  an 
attentive  and  appreciative  audience.  The  good 
seed  of  the  Word  was  widely  and  earnestly  sown 
in  the  faith,  that,  by  the  blessing  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  abundant  fruit  would  result.  It  may  be 
interesting  to  state  that  during  the  week  we  made 
thirty  visits,  and  were  entertained  in  many  homes. 
As  we  received  the  generous  hospitality  of  the 
people,  we  try  to  give  in  return  the  blessings  of  the 
Christian  missionary.  Oh !  the  manifold  ways  in 
which  a  missionary  may  impress  communities  for 
good  and  point  them  to  Christ!  Two  Christian 
Endeavor  rallies  were  held  during  the  week,  both 
of  which  were  much  appreciated  and  will  prove 
especially  helpful  to  the  people.  Delegations  were 
present  from  River  Falls  and  from  Ellsworth.  Al- 
together it  was  a  blessed  week  of  service.  It  was 
interesting   to   hear  the  testimony   of   the  people 


114       SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIOxXS    IN    WISCONSIN 

themselves  regarding  the  blessings  which  had  come 
to  them  since  the  planting  of  a  Sabbath-School 
there  over  two  years  ago.  They  are  now  on  the 
upward  grade  of  better  living  and  happier  homes. 
It  is  our  prayer  that  God  will  bless  them  in  this 
noble  struggle. 


CHAPTER  IX 

IN    CITY   AND    COUNTRY* 

So  they  read  in  the  book  in  the  law  of  God  distinctly,  and  gave 
the  sense,  and  caused  them  to  understand  the  reading. — Neh.  8:8, 

I.  Sabbath-Schools  in  Clusters. 

II.  The  Sabbath-School  Outlook. 

III.  Another  Church  Dedicated. 

IV.  The  Young  Men  Improved. 


I.  sabbath-schools  in  clusters. 
June  2jd,  i8g8. — In  Wisconsin  we  have  often 
noted  the  fact  that  pine  trees  frequently  grow  in 
clusters  of  five  or  six — sometimes  nine  or  ten.  It 
is  the  same  with  the  Sabbath-Schools ;  they,  too, 
are  often  found  in  clusters.  I  noted  this  as  I 
traveled  through  Clark  County  a  short  time  ago. 
I  found  fine  clusters  of  schools  here  and  there, 
beautiful  to  look  upon,  the  fruitage  of  ten  years' 
work.  Here  it  is  in  a  nosegay.  Nearly  all  of  them 
are  alive  and  doing  good  work.  They  have  been 
planted  to  stay  for  the  good  of  the  people. 
Twenty-two  Sabbath-School  organizations  and  ten 
preaching  stations  have  grown  out  of  these.  Four 
mission   chapels  have  been  built  and  two  Presby- 

115 


Il6       SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS    IN    WISCONSIN 

terian  churches  organized.  It  is  impossible  to 
estimate  the  number  of  those  who  have  been 
helped  through  this  blessed  agency.  A  high  value 
ought  to  be  placed  upon  this  part  of  the  work.  A 
mother  recently  said  to  me :  "  I  thank  you  so  much 
for  your  visit  to  my  home."  There  was  to  me  much 
meaning  in  these  earnestly-spoken  words. 

II.      THE   SABBATH-SCHOOL   OUTLOOK. 

Milwaukee  Presbytery  has  eleven  counties  within 
its  bounds.  The  population  of  these  counties  is 
563,028 — 236,101  being  in  Milwaukee  County.  The 
Presbyterian  Church  has  a  membership  of  4,270, 
and  a  Sabbath-School  membership  of  4,087.  By 
multiplying  the  Church  membership  by  five,  gives 
21,350,  being  the  number  we  can  claim,  as  a 
Church,  of  the  563,028.  This  is  a  very  small  show- 
ing and  is  well  fitted  to  awaken  thought  and  prompt 
to  action.  Can  we  not  do  better  ?  We  believe  we 
can.  The  Sabbath-School  work  of  our  Church  is 
an  important  factor  that  will  grandly  help  to  this  end. 

The  cities  of  Milwaukee,  Racine,  Sheboygan  and 
Waukesha  have  already  been  laid  out  for  Sabbath- 
School  effort.  In  some  of  these  important  cities 
Sabbath-Schools  have  been  planted  by  our  mis- 
sionaries and  are  doing  well,  being  grandly  helped 
by  our  Church.  Milwaukee  is  an  important  field  of 
itself,  and  is  well  deserving  of  special  effort  along 
these  lines. 

In  some   of  the  counties  a  number  of  Sabbath- 


u 
< 


a 

O 

z 


IN    CITY    AND    COUNTRY  117 

Schools   have  been  planted  and  are   doing    good 

work Dodge  County  having  the  greatest  number. 

These  having  been  grandly  helped  by  the  pastor  and 
church  of  Beaver  Dam.  Other  pastors  and  churches 
have  also  been  very  helpful  in  this  noble  and 
Christlike  work.  Indeed,  we  can  say  with  truth 
that  all  of  the  pastors  and  churches  are  coming  into 
line  on  this  work ;  this  promises  well  for  the  future. 
With  Mr.  Samuel  McComb,  our  able  and  devoted 
Sabbath-School  missionary  for  the  Milwaukee 
Presbytery,  a  new  era  of  Sabbath-School  work  is 
begun.  From  what  we  know  by  personal  survey  of 
the  field,  we  hesitate  not  to  say  that  the  field  is 
rich  in  Sabbath-School  ore.  The  children  and 
youth  of  these  counties,  largely  speaking  a  foreign 
tongue,  are  open,  in  a  special  degree,  to  Christian 
teaching,  given  in  the  English  language.  Changes 
in  many  ways  are  needed,  and  we  hope  the  Presby- 
terian Church  will  be  brave  and  heroic  and,  with 
God's  help,  do  its  part  in  the  development  of  a  new 
and  noble  manhood  and  womanhood. 

III.       ANOTHER    CHURCH    DEDICATED. 

July  13th,  1898,  was  a  great  day  in  Badger, 
Portage  County,  the  occasion  being  the  dedication 
of  the  Lansdowne  Badger  Presbyterian  Church. 
Three  services  were  held  during  the  day,  at  each  of 
which  the  church  was  crowded.  The  church 
is  twenty-four  by  thirty-six  feet  and  is  seated 
with  fine  chairs.     The  total  cost  was  five  hundred 


Il8       SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS   IN   WISCONSIN 

dollars.  During  the  day  the  collections  amounted 
to  one  hundred  dollars,  which  paid  all  charges,  and 
the  church  was  dedicated  to  God's  service  free  of 
debt. 

Rev.  W.  W.  Henry,  the  pastor,  presided.  All  of 
the  services  were  of  a  high  quality  and  were  much 
appreciated  by  the  hundreds  present.  Rev.  L.  C. 
Smith,  Rev.  Angus  Sillars,  Rev.  Joseph  Brown  and 
Mr.  Clark  Mack  participated  in  the  grand  day's  serv- 
ices. 

A  sumptuous  dinner  was  provided  for  all  in  the 
shady  wood  near  by. 

At  the  evening  service  special  votes  of  thanks 
were  given  to  the  Sabbath-School  and  church 
of  Lansdowne,  Pa.,  for  the  gift  of  one  hundred  dol- 
lars and  a  pulpit  Bible ;  to  Mrs.  Gardner,  of  Spen- 
cer, for  her  gift  of  the  pulpit;  to  Mrs.  Fink,  of 
Stevens  Point,  for  the  gift  of  two  pulpit  chairs  ; 
to  Mr.  John  Swan  for  the  gift  of  the  ground;  and 
to  all  others  who  so  kindly  helped. 

Truly  it  was  a  day  long  to  be  remembered.  The 
great  crowds  present  at  each  of  the  services — at  a 
time  when  work  on  the  farms  was  so  pressing — 
showed  in  a  fine  manner  the  hope  and  joy  of  the 
whole  community  far  and  near.  The  Christian  ac- 
tivities of  the  people  will  be  finely  shown  in  the 
good  use  they  will  make  of  the  new  church. 

IV.       THE    YOUNG    MEN    IMPROVED. 

On  Sabbath,  October  17th,  1898,  it  was  my  privi- 


IN   CITY   AND   COUNTRY  UQ 

lege  to  visit  and  to  tell  the  story  of  the  Sabbath- 
School  mission  work,  to  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church,  of  La  Crosse.  The  audience  was  large  and 
appreciative,  and  formed  good  ground  on  which  to 
sow  such  seed.  I  also  visited  and  addressed  inter- 
ested audiences  at  all  of  the  mission  stations  founded 
by  the  First  Church,  the  work  of  which  is  superin- 
tended by  devoted  members  of  the  mother  church. 
The  following  Monday  and  Tuesday  were  spent 
in  associated  work  with  Mr.  Campbell,  of  Lodi. 
On  Monday  evening  we  had  the  privilege  of  ad- 
dressing the  members  of  the  Christian  Endeavor 
Society,  who  met  in  the  parlors  of  their  church. 
The  visit  was  unexpected,  and  the  talk  was  from 
heart  to   heart ;    all  felt  that  "  it  was  good  to  be 

there." 

On  Tuesday,  Mr.  Campbell  accompanied  me  to 
the  mission  field  of  Okee,  where  we  spent  the  after- 
noon. In  the  evening  we  held  a  service  in  the 
schoolhouse.  The  night  was  dark  and  lowering, 
yet  the  house  was  filled,  upwards  of  eighty  persons 
being  present.  A  helpful  service  was  given  in 
which  Mr.  Campbell  and  myself  took  part.  At 
these  little  meetings  we  had  a  fine  illustration  of  the 
blessing  that  comes  from  a  Sabbath-School  and  oc- 
casional preaching  services.  The  people,  when 
assembled,  always  conduct  themselves  with  true 
dignity  and  decorum.  As  one  of  the  men  of  the 
district  said  to  me :  "  The  young  men  now  have 
self-respect,  and  feel  that  they  are  of  some  account, 


I20       SABBATH-SCHOOL   MISSIONS    IN   WISCONSIN 

and  can  enter  into  fields  of  work  of  honor  and  re- 
sponsibility." This  makes  a  new  era  in  the  life  of 
many  a  farm  boy.  May  God  continue  to  prosper 
the  work  ! 

On  Saturday,  October  30th,  I  journeyed  to  Ash- 
land, where  a  fine  new  church  is  in  process  of 
erection.  It  will  be  a  commodious  and  beautiful 
building  when  completed,  and  will  afford  pastor  and 
people  a  fine  means  of  meeting  the  Christian  wants 
of  the  city. 

By  the  kind  arrangement  of  the  pastor,  a  good 
day's  work  was  done  on  the  following  Sabbath.  In 
the  forenoon  I  addressed  the  congregation  and 
members  of  the  Sabbath-School.  The  attendance 
was  good  and  the  interest  great.  In  the  afternoon 
we  visited  and  addressed  the  Bethel  Mission  Sab- 
bath-School. In  the  closing  address  to  the  evening 
congregation  I  endeavored  to  give  some  graphic 
pictures  of  the  Sabbath-School  mission  work  as  it 
is  being  done  by  our  Church  all  over  this  great 
state. 

The  pastor,  in  a  few  well  chosen  words  at  the 
close  of  the  service,  said  that  the  results  of  this  visit 
would  lead  to  more  earnest  prayer  for,  and  in- 
creased interest  in,  this  important  branch  of  our 
Church's  work. 


CHAPTER  X 

"  COME   OVER   AND    HELP   US 


>) 


Search  the  scriptures ;  for  in  them  ye  think  ye  have  eternal  life : 
and  they  are  they  which  testify  of  me. — John  j  /  sg. 

I.  A  Macedonian  Call. 

II.  Africa  or  America. 

III.  Among  The  New  Settlers. 

IV.  The  Sabbath-School  Institute  an  Im- 

portant Feature. 


I.      A    MACEDONIAN    CALL. 

Sunday  morning,  March  ijth,  /<5'pp.— Mr.  James 
M.  Bain  and  I  rode  along  the  banks  of  the  Wis- 
consin, with  forest,  river  and  many  small  islands  so 
enveloped  in  ice  and  snow  as  to  resemble  the  Klon- 
dyke  regions.  The  first  six  miles  we  passed  but  one 
habitation,  and  this  so  grotesque  and  primitive  as  to 
suggest  a  hunter's  hut  on  Hudson  Bay.  This  fam- 
ily of  seven  children,  attended  neither  public  church 
nor  Sabbath-School.  Some  of  the  children  could 
neither  read  nor  write. 

When  we  reached  the  site  of  the  former  village  of 
Dekorra,  now  merely  a  thickly  settled  rural  district, 
we  found  the  people   crowding  into  the  spacious 

121 


122       SABBATH-SCHOOL   MISSIONS    IN   WISCONSIN 

public  school  building  to  hear  their  first  sermon  of 
the  season,  and  so  hungry  for  the  Word  that  they 
expressed  great  joy  when  we  promised  to  return  on 
the  following  Tuesday  evening  for  another  service. 
We  then  went  to  District  No.  7,  five  miles  south, 
and  were  followed  by  so  many  from  the  place  of  the 
morning  services  that  the  schoolhouse  was  uncom- 
fortably packed.  Here  the  same  earnest  desire  for 
a  continuation  of  the  meetings  was  expressed  and 
we  arranged  to  hold  two  more,  visiting  during  the 
day.  We  also  tried  to  see  what  could  be  done  by 
way  of  building  a  chapel  for  the  worship  of  God. 
Monday  morning  early  we  began  house-to-house  calls 
which  revealed  many  heartrending  instances  of  lack 
of  Christian  training  and  home  comforts  here  and 
there  among  a  thrifty,  moral,  intelligent  class  of 
people.  We  found  three  families,  aggregating 
thirty-one  children,  and  one  of  these  was  in  a  log 
house  fifty  years  old.  Although  sleighs  were  still 
being  used,  the  youngest  of  ten  children,  thinly  clad 
and  with  one  foot  bare,  was  out  among  the  cattle 
and  sheep. 

The  home  of  a  motherless  family  of  seven, — the 
father  being  given  to  drink,  and  with  no  one  to 
counsel  or  protect  the  elder  girls  entering  Vv^oman- 
hood, — was  the  rendezvous  of  many  reckless  young 
people  during  the  Sabbath. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day  we  entered  the 
adjoining  school  district  where  we  found  thirty  chil- 
dren and  youth  who  would  attend  Sabbath-School 


'*  COME  OVER  AND  HELP  US  123 

if  we  could  organize  one ;  they  had  never  enjoyed 
such  a  blessing.  To  our  dismay,  one  of  the  school 
board  refused  to  give  permission  to  use  the  school- 
house,  and  there  being  no  other  available  place,  we 
were  helpless  to  meet  the  mothers'  appeal  for  "  some- 
thing to  save  their  children  from  prevailing  vices." 

The  severest  storm  of  the  season  set  in  near 
night,  and  continued  with  wind,  sleet  and  snow  for 
three  days,  yet  in  spite  of  all,  the  people  turned  out 
in  good  numbers  and  after  the  close  of  the  Wednes- 
day evening  gospel  service  a  business  meeting  con- 
vened which  resulted  in  a  unanimous  vote  to  build  a 
chapel  in  District  No.  7,  one  that  could  also  accom- 
modate the  neighborhood  where  we  were  denied 
the  schoolhouse.  A  building  committee  was  ap- 
pointed to  take  charge  of  the  matter  and  the  sub- 
scription list  was  headed  by  ;^  100.00, — the  contribu- 
tion of  a  Christian  Endeavor  Society  in  Phila- 
delphia. This  chapel  will  be  seven  miles  from  the 
nearest  village,  Poynette,  and  the  center  of  a  large 
rural  district  without  any  public  means  of  grace, 
stretching  from  Portage  to  Lodi,  twenty  miles. 

Thursday  morning  was  still  stormy.  We  drove 
twelve  miles  through  swollen  streams,  ponds  of 
water  and  blockaded  roads — caused  by  sleet  freez- 
ing to  limbs  of  trees,  bending  them  to  the  ground — 
yet  with  grateful  hearts  because  of  what  the  Lord  had 
wrought,  not  only  in  completed  arrangements  for  a 
chapel  but  also  because  we  were  going  to  open  a  Sab- 
bath-School in  the  two  districts  where  we  had  held 


124       SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS    IN   WISCONSIN 

meetings,  with  some  prospects  of  another  chapel  in 
the  so-called  village  of  Dekorra. 

Macedonian  calls  for  Christian  help  and  personal 
work  were  never  greater.  We  most  earnestly  so- 
licit the  continued  cooperation  of  God's  people  in 
this  work  of  possessing  the  land  for  Christ  and  his 
Church. 

II.      AFRICA  OR  AMERICA. 

Man  works  under  limitations  ;  he  can  only  do  one 
thing  at  a  time,  and  be  in  one  place  at  a  time.  A 
life  full  of  planned  work  passes  with  great  rapidity ; 
a  month  is  as  a  week,  and  a  week  a  day.  Such  are 
my  thoughts  as  I  review  the  work  of  the  first 
quarter  of  the  year  1899.  During  these  past  three 
months  I  have  traveled  five  thousand  miles,  visited 
one  hundred  and  sixty-seven  famiUes,  delivered 
seventy-seven  addresses,  visited  eleven  Sabbath- 
Schools,  and  reorganized  two;  held  two  Sabbath- 
School  Institutes,  and,  in  addition,  have  packed  a 
number  of  missionary  boxes  for  distribution,  and 
kept  up  a  large  correspondence. 

As  the  first  six  weeks  of  the  quarter  were  spent 
in  presenting  the  claims  of  our  work  to  the  churches 
in  the  East,  it  gives  me  pleasure  to  state  that  my 
efforts  were  greatly  blessed  of  God,  as  the  following 
quotation  from  one  of  the  letters  received  after  my 
return  will  show : 

"  I  was  so  impressed  with  your  sermon  about 
your   experiences   in   the  far  West  I  made  up  my 


"COME    OVER   AND    HELP   US  125 

mind  that  if  I  were  able  I  would  send  you  some 
money.  So  the  Holy  Spirit  has  been,  time  and 
again,  reminding  me  of  my  desire  and  purpose,  and 
I  write  now  to  find  out  where  I  can  send  you  ;^5.oo 
so  that  you  may  receive  the  money  safely,  and 
make  it  a  blessing." 

This  is  but  one  of  the  many  letters  I  have  re- 
ceived, expressive  of  interest  in  the  work. 

The  last  weeks  of  the  quarter  have  been  spent  in 
the  country  districts  of  the  state.  During  this  period 
of  labor,  much  that  is  interesting  and  suggestive  has 
taken  place.  In  confirmation  of  this,  let  me  describe 
a  three  days'  mission  tour  with  missionary  Samuel 
McComb  to  the  district  in  and  around  Milwaukee. 

We  reached  that  city   early   on  the  morning  of 
March   24th,  1899.     At  ten  o'clock  we  made  our 
way  to  Jones   Island.     We  were  rowed  across  the 
river,  by  one   of  the  fishermen,  and  after  landing, 
amidst  snow,  mud  and  water,  we  walked  along  a 
narrow  lane.     When  we  were  fairly  on  the  Island  I 
paused    to    look     around     and    view    the    scene. 
"  Where  are  we,  in  Africa  or  America !  "  I  exclaimed. 
Such  a  cluster  of  poor  humanity  cooped  up  in  so 
little  space,  was  touching  to  behold.     But  a  Sab- 
bath-School and  preaching  service  had  been  planted 
here  and  it  was  in  connection  with  these  we  came. 
A  little  mission  chapel   is  needed  at  once  in  order 
that  good  work  may  be  done.    Money  for  this  pur- 
pose has  been  contributed  by  a  generous  Presbyte- 
rian  church  in   Philadelphia  and  is  ready  for  use 


126       SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS   IN   WISCONSIN 

whenever  the  necessary  steps  for  building  shall  be 
taken.  There  is  no  time  for  delay  in  this  matter  as 
the  needs  are  so  great. 

March  25th  and  26th  we  spent  in  visitation  and 
service  in  the  West  Park,  outside  the  city  limits, 
commonly  called  **  Silver  City."  In  the  work  that 
needs  to  be  done,  and  which  is  now  being  done  in 
this  place,  we  find  a  proof  of  the  grandeur  of  the  la- 
bors of  a  Sabbath-School  missionary.  The  place  is 
wisely  chosen  and  the  time  is  opportune  for  great 
work ;  the  people  are  here  in  great  numbers  and  in 
terribly  needy  spiritual  condition.  But  the  work  is 
going  on  apace ;  already  the  Sabbath-School  num- 
bers over  one  hundred  scholars,  a  preaching  service 
is  held  every  Sabbath  evening,  and  a  sewing  school 
of  one  hundred  members  every  Saturday  afternoon. 
The  meetings  are  held  in  a  dancing  hall  which  has 
been  rented  and  kept  sacred  for  this  work.  But  the 
lease  expires  next  July,  and  the  man  who  owns  the 
building  refuses  to  rent  it  again  for  this  purpose. 
Clearly  a  chapel  is  needed  here,  and  we  are  praying 
that  we  may  be  divinely  guided  in  the  matter. 

Grand  work  is  also  being  done  in  the  "  Faith  " 
Mission  Sabbath-School,  which  is  fostered  by  one 
of  the  city  churches. 

I  would  need  the  pen  of  a  ready  writer  to  record 
all  the  incidents  of  interest,  but  I  must  not  fail  to 
notice  my  last  mission  trip  to  Chippewa  County, 
which  began  on  the  last  day  of  March  and  contin- 
ued to  the  third  day  of  April.     During  this  trip  we 


"  COME  OVER  AND  HELP  US  "        1 2/ 

drove  over  seventy  miles,  with  two  feet  of  snow  all 
around ;  the  visit  was  fruitful  and  did  much  to  help 
the  people  to  resume  their  Sabbath-School  and  be- 
gin a  series  of  cottage  prayer  meetings. 

In  conclusion,  let  me  say  that  my  long  service 
in  the  survey  of  the  conditions  of  rural  Wisconsin 
impresses  me  with  a  sense  of  the  need  of  more 
Christian  effort  in  order  to  develop  a  higher  stand- 
ard of  manhood  and  womanhood.  This  is  the  de- 
sign of  Christianity  and  the  work  of  the  Church. 

III.      AMONG   THE    NEW   SETTLERS. 

May  ^th,  i8gg. — I  explored  a  district  to-day  in 
Wood  County  which  had  never  before  been  visited 
by  a  Christian  worker.  At  9:30  a.  m.  I  stepped  out 
of  the  train  at  the  little  town  of  Auburndale  and 
walked  down  the  railroad  track  for  one  mile  and  a 
quarter,  where  I  reached  the  road  which  led  into 
this  hitherto  unexplored  district.  I  found  it  a  fairly 
good  farming  country,  but  as  yet  thinly  settled. 
The  events  of  the  day  were  intensely  interesting 
and  memorable,  and  worthy  of  record  as  being  a 
fair  example  of  the  labors  of  a  Sabbath-School  mis- 
sionary and  his  experiences  in  house-to-house  vis- 
itations. 

Visit  No.  I. — On  going  up  to  this  home  I  found 
the  father  in  the  barnyard.  I  introduced  myself 
and  told  him  the  nature  of  my  work.  We  had  a 
pleasant  conversation.  The  husband  said  they  were 
Lutherans.     He  had  a  wife  and  three  little  ones  and 


128       SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS    IN   WISCONSIN 

said  he  would  like  some  good  reading  for  them.  I 
gave  him  a  supply  from  the  capacious  satchel,  which 
is  the  boon  companion  of  every  Sabbath-School 
missionary.  The  papers  and  booklets  were  received 
most  thankfully,  and  we  parted  with  the  mutual 
hope  of  meeting  again. 

Visit  No.  2. — In  this  farmhouse  I  found  the 
parents  and  five  children.  The  mother  received 
me  kindly  and  bade  me  be  seated  when  I  made 
known  the  purpose  of  my  visit.  After  a  little  talk, 
I  left  them  some  good  reading  matter,  which  was 
received  with  apparent  delight.  Thus  the  seed  was 
sown  in  that  little  dwelling. 

Visit  No.  J. — At  this  home  I  found  a  solitary 
man,  a  Frenchman,  and  a  strange  character  he 
seemed  to  be.  Wife  and  children  had  all  gone 
from  him,  and  he  worked  alone  on  the  little  farm. 
He  told  me  he  had  a  son  who  went  to  the  war  in 
Cuba  and  died  there.  Upon  speaking  to  him  on 
the  subject  nearest  my  heart,  I  found  him  to  be  of 
the  large  number  of  those  who  are  **  without  God 
and  without  hope  in  the  world."  After  a  few 
earnest  words,  I  left  him  with  the  silent  prayer  that 
light  would  come  to  his  darkened  heart. 

Visit  No.  4.. — This  was  the  home  of  a  new 
settler,  the  house  standing  in  the  midst  of  trees  on 
a  small  piece  of  cleared  land.  The  dwellers  were  a 
young  couple  with  one  child.  I  also  met  the  sister 
of  the  young  wife,  a  new  settler  in  a  home  across 
the  road  ;  she  had  a  husband  and  five  children.    I 


"  COME  OVER  AND  HELP  US  1 29 

had  a  good  visit  and  found  them  in  hearty  sympathy 
with  the  work.  I  left  with  them  a  supply  of  lesson 
papers  and  good  literature,  and  bade  them  good-bye 
with  a  hopeful  heart. 

Visit  No.  J. — This  was  another  new  settler's 
home,  somewhat  more  pretentious  than  the  last, 
standing  in  the  midst  of  the  great  forest.  Here  I 
found  an  aged  widow  and  her  son ;  the  mother  re- 
ceived me  graciously  in  her  way  but  she  was  a  Ger- 
man and  could  not  speak  much  English,  though  she 
had  been  forty  years  in  America.  Her  son  is  a 
promising  young  man,  and  will  be  a  great  helper 
in  the  work  I  hope  to  begin  in  the  district. 

Visit  No.  6. — This  was  another  new  settler's 
home,  with  conditions  much  like  the  others  of  the 
same  class,  but  this  was  the  brightest  and  most  as- 
piring of  all  the  families  visited  during  the  day. 
The  household  consisted  of  father  and  mother  and 
four  bright  children.  After  I  had  introduced  my- 
self and  stated  the  purpose  of  my  visit,  the  parents 
expressed  their  joy  that  a  Sabbath- School  mis- 
sionary had  at  last  come  to  their  settlement  to  help 
in  the  work  of  the  organization  of  a  Sabbath- 
School.  From  the  nature  of  my  reception  and  the 
character  of  the  conversation,  it  dawned  upon  me 
that  this  home  was  to  be  the  center  of  effort  in 
seeking  to  hold  a  meeting  and  then  to  organize  a 
Sabbath-School.  Plans  were  at  once  made;  the 
meeting  to  be  held,  if  possible,  on  Monday  evening. 
May  7th,  in  the   new  schoolhouse  of  the  district. 


130       SABBATH-SCHOOL   MISSIONS   IN   WISCONSIN 

To  obtain  permission  to  use  the  building  for  that 
purpose,  it  was  necessary  for  me  to  visit  the  three 
school  directors,  which  I  afterwards  did.  It  was  now 
near  the  noon  hour,  and  I  received  a  cordial  invita- 
tion to  stay  to  dinner,  which  I  very  gladly  accepted. 
While  the  meal  was  being  prepared,  the  husband 
and  I  visited  the  schoolhouse  near  by  where  I  was 
permitted  to  address  the  children.  I  gave  each  of 
them  a  picture  card.  I  found  the  teacher  in  hearty 
sympathy  with  the  proposed  organization  of  a  Sab- 
bath-School. After  a  hearty  midday  meal,  and 
with  the  kindly  words  of  these  good  friends  ringing 
in  my  ears,  I  set  out,  with  a  cheerful  heart,  to  make 
other  visits. 

Visit  No.  y. — This  was  a  new  home  alone  among 
the  trees,  where  I  found  a  young  couple  and  one 
child.  The  mother  was  bright  and  happy  and  re- 
ceived my  visit  with  pleasure.  She  expressed  her 
joy  at  the  prospect  of  having  some  Christian  agency 
in  their  midst.  She  had  recently  come  from  a  city 
of  considerable  size  and  had  known  the  blessings 
and  benefits  of  church  and  Sabbath-School. 

Visit  No.  8. — This  was  to  the  best  improved 
farm  in  the  district.  The  household  consisting  of 
husband  and  wife  and  four  children.  They  were 
Catholics,  and  the  father  was  a  member  of  the 
school  board.  I  had  been  informed  that  his  con- 
sent to  get  the  schoolhouse  would  settle  the  matter, 
so  after  some  conversation  I  introduced  the  subject, 
and  was  delighted  to  obtain  his  cordial  consent. 


"COME   OVER    AND   HELP   US  "  131 

Visits  Nos  p,  10. — Two  houses  stood  side  by 
side  across  the  mill  creek,  which  was  two  feet  deep ; 
there  was  no  bridge,  and  in  order  to  reach  these 
homes  I  had  to  step  across  on  the  trunk  of  a  tree 
about  six  inches  in  diameter.  With  the  aid  of  a 
pole,  I  reached  the  other  side  in  safety,  and  visited 
both  families.  I  found  them  Hke  many  of  the 
others,  happy  in  the  prospect  of  having  meetings 
and  Sabbath-School. 

Thus  ends  the  exact  record  of  one  day's  work 
for  the  Master,  in  the  accomplishment  of  which  I 
walked  ten  miles,  and  completed  the  round  of  vis- 
itations as  the  sun  was  sinking  to  rest.  Though 
somewhat  weary  in  body,  the  spirit  within  me  was 
renewed  in  strength  as  I  rejoiced  in  the  belief  that  an 
important  step  had  been  taken  to  bring  into  oper- 
ation agencies  which  would  bring  numberless  bless- 
ings to  the  hearts  and  homes  of  the  people  I  had 
visited  during  the  day. 

May  gth,  i8gg.—-l  am  glad  to  add  that  on  Mon- 
day, May  7th,  a  meeting  was  held  in  the  district 
and  a  Sabbath-School  organized,  which  was  placed 
under  the  kind  benefaction  of  the  Grace  Sabbath- 
School  of  Camden,  New  Jersey. 

IV.      THE  SABBATH-SCHOOL  INSTITUTE   AN    IMPORTANT 

FEATURE. 

[  From  The  Presbyterian.  ] 
Sabbath-School  missionary  work  is  progressing 
in  Wisconsin  and  some  of  the  best  out-of-door  as- 


132       SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS   IN    WISCONSIN 

semblies  of  the  summer  have  been  where  the 
neighboring  schools  have  rallied  in  some  convenient 
grove,  and  held  an  open  air  meeting  all  day,  with 
an  intermission  at  noon  for  a  picnic  dinner.  The 
Rev.  Joseph  Brown,  the  Synodical  Sabbath-School 
missionary,  calls  them  his  Sabbath-School  Institutes, 
and  during  August  he  presided  over  eleven  of  these 
large  assemblies.  He  has  a  wonderful  faculty  of 
interesting  the  parents  as  well  as  the  children,  and 
thriUing  them  with  the  importance  of  doing  their 
duty  and  serving  the  Lord.  These  Institutes  are 
the  leading  events  in  many  remote  settlements  and 
often  the  entire  communities  turn  out  to  hear  the 
Word  of  the  Lord,  and  renew  their  covenant  in  his 
service. 

The  northern  part  of  Wisconsin,  after  many 
years  of  waiting,  is  now  rapidly  settling  up,  and 
sturdy  men  are  found  who  go  into  the  forests  of  the 
Chippewa  and  the  Wisconsin  Rivers  and  hew  them 
out  a  home.  There  is  hard  work  and  it  is  slow, 
but  in  due  time  there  will  be  smooth  fields  and  gar- 
dens and  happy-hearted  children  will  play.  Mean- 
while the  Sabbath-School  missionary  organizes  his 
school  and  teaches  them  to  fear  God  and  keep  his 
commandments,  and  lays  the  foundation  of  the 
future  church  and  a  larger  work  for  God. 


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CHAPTER  XI 

RIPENING    FIELDS 

And  that  from  a  child  thou  hast  known  the  holy  scriptures, 
which  are  able  to  make  thee  wise  unto  salvation  through  faith 
which  is  in  Christ  Jesus. — 2  Tim.  j  .•  75. 

I.  A  Memorable  Trip. 

11.  It  Looks  Like  a  Miracle. 

III.  The  Well- Worn  Bible. 

IV.  A  Red  Letter  Day. 


I.       A    MEMORABLE  TRIP. 

In  concluding  one  of  my  Sabbath-School  mis- 
sionary addresses,  before  the  congregation  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  at  Lansdowne,  Pa.,  in  the 
month  of  January,  1900,  I  said,  "  How  my  heart 
would  be  rejoiced  if  one  of  the  pastors  of  our  large 
churches  would  come  and  spend  his  vacation  season 
with  me  and  lend  a  helping  hand  in  our  Sabbath- 
School  Institutes  held  in  the  beautiful  forests  of 
Wisconsin.  We  would  take  good  care  of  him  and 
send  him  back  in  fine  shape  for  his  winter's  work." 
Rev.  William  Boyd,  pastor  of  the  Lansdowne 
Church,  accepted  the  invitation.  He  spent  the  fol- 
lowing August  with  me  in  Wisconsin.  I  met  him 
at  Chicago  and  brought  him,  by  way  of  Milwaukee, 
to  Cambria,  where  the  work  was  begun,  in  concert 

133 


134       SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS   IN   WISCONSIN 

with  Rev.  James  Bain,  who  had  arranged  for  the 
first  meetings  in  his  Presbytery  of  Madison. 

The  following  is  a  quotation  from  the  printed 
notes  of  Mr.  Bain,  relative  to  the  work  done  in  his 
field :  — 

"  A  week  was  spent  in  perfecting  arrangements  for 
a  series  of  Sabbath-School  Institutes  to  extend  in  an 
unbroken  chain  throughout  the  Presbytery,  a  distance 
of  seventy-five  miles.  August  ist,  1900,  in  company 
with  Rev.  Joseph  Brown,  and  the  Rev.  Wm.  Boyd,  a 
busy  pastor  of  an  important  suburb  of  Philadelphia, 
who  volunteered  to  spend  his  vacation  with  the  mis- 
sionaries of  Wisconsin,  we  participated  in  the  first 
one  of  the  season  in  Taylor  Park,  Cambria.  The 
pastor,  who  is  also  the  Presbyterial  chairman  of  the 
work,  associated  in  all  our  plans.  Rev.  R.  M.  Wil- 
liams had  every  arrangement  completed,  with  a 
strong  programme  enriched  with  local  talent  from 
his  own  young  people.  He  struck  a  high  key  of 
excellence  that  was  maintained  in  each  succeeding 
Institute  to  the  pleasure  and  profit  of  all,  especially 
those  engaged  in  Sabbath-School  work.  August 
3d,  fully  two  hundred  persons  assembled  on  Penin- 
sula Resort,  Dekorra,  and  so  deeply  interesting 
were  the  exercises  that  people  for  many  miles  tar- 
ried so  long  that  another  luncheon  was  spread  on 
the  rustic  tables  overlooking  the  majestic  Wiscon- 
sin. All  retired  stimulated  with  holy  ambitions  for 
more  consecrated  work  of  the  Master. 

•'  August  4th  and  ^th,  igoo. — We  held  forth  in 


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RIPENING   FIELDS  135 

Poyiiette,  all  churches  of  the  village  and  vicinity 
giving  way  for  the  Institute,  making  an  assembly 
at  the  four  sessions  estimated  at  three  hundred. 

"  August  yth. — We  were  in  Owen's  Glen,  Cale- 
donia. There  was  a  large  audience  assembled  with 
the  characteristic  dignity,  grace  and  deep  spiritu- 
ality that  has  always  been  maintained. 

"  August  gth. — Midway  between  Prairie  du  Sac 
and  Baraboo  in  Pine  Hollow,  in  a  gorge  extending 
half  a  mile  into  the  semi-mountain  range  surround- 
ing Spirit  Lake,  Sabbath-School  scholars  and  peo- 
ple, covering  a  territory  ten  miles  square,  gathered 
to  the  number  of  two  hundred.  Sabbath-School 
banners,  flags  and  bunting,  with  a  well-dressed  peo- 
ple engaged  in  the  Lord's  service  in  the  presence 
of  wild,  graphic  scenery,  deepened  impressions  of 
God's  majesty  and  love. 

"  August  loth. — With  a  select  party  on  the  sum- 
mit of  Gibraltar  Rock  we  worshiped  God,  and  in  the 
evening,  in  the  village  of  Okee,  we  held  a  service 
with  a  packed  audience  eager  to  hear  the  gospel 
message. 

"  August  nth. — We  held  forth  in  Belleville  in  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  also  Sabbath  morning,  the 
1 2th ;  then  a  twelve-mile  drive  to  Verona  Scotch 
Church,  and  in  the  evening  in  the  village  three 
miles  distant.  So  interested  were  the  people  that 
many  followed  from  place  to  place,  riding  home 
eight  and  ten  miles  in  the  rain  after  the  evening 
service. 


136       SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS    IN    WISCONSIN 

"  August  i^tJi. — The  two  brethren  went  on  to  Mil- 
waukee Presbytery,  leaving  me  for  work  in  Sauk 
County,  but  we  were  together  again  on  the  17th  in 
a  great  Institute,  including  the  villages  of  "VVestfield 
and  Packwaukee,  in  the  village  of  Oxford.  At  this 
meeting  there  were  six  pastors  and  four  mission- 
aries. This  was  my  last  day  with  Mr.  Boyd,  who 
endeared  himself  to  all  who  met  him  and  listened 
to  his  soul-inspiring  addresses.  He  returned  to  his 
pastorate  after  delivering  twenty-five  addresses,  with 
the  '  God  bless  and  reward  you  for  your  works  and 
labors  of  love,'  going  out  to  him  from  his  thousands 
of  newly  made  friends  in  Wisconsin." 

From  Oxford  Mr.  Boyd  and  I  went  forward  to 
the  McGregor  settlement,  where  five  splendid  Sab- 
bath-School Institutes  were  held,  attended  by  large 
congregations  of  people  who  were  greatly  blessed. 
In  memory  of  this  visit,  one  of  the  classes  in  Mr. 
Boyd's  Sabbath-School  sent  a  silver  communion  set 
to  the  little  congregation,  which  will  always  be  kept 
in  loving  remembrance. 

From  Hancock  we  went  forward  to  Marshfield, 
and  spent  a  season  of  sweet  communion  in  the 
home  so  dear  to  my  heart ;  then  forward  to  Wausau 
to  visit  its  many  mission  fields.  In  company  with 
Rev.  W.  O.  Carrier,  D.  D.,  and  a  large  number  of 
his  good  people,  we  had  a  fine  Sabbath-School  In- 
stitute near  the  banks  of  the  Eau  Plaine  River, 
which  was  also  a  grand  success.  We  then  drove 
around   and   saw  the  other   mission  stations,  and 


RIPENING    FIELDS  137 

Spent  a  delightful  evening  in  the  home  of  Dr.  Car- 
rier, and  after  a  sweetly  solemn  season  of  prayer 
took  our  departure  for  Duluth,  spending  the  next 
day  in  viewing  the  sights  of  that  city.  At  5  p.  m.  I 
saw  Mr.  Boyd  safely  on  board  the  steamer  which 
was  to  take  him  to  Buffalo,  on  his  way  home. 
Truly  God  blessed  his  visit  to  many  districts  and 
people,  and  he  in  turn  was  blessed  in  body  and  in 
spirit.  As  we  parted,  he  said,  "  I  shall  never  forget 
this  memorable  trip  to  Wisconsin,  the  grandeur  of 
the  work,  the  kindness  of  the  people,  the  goodness 
of  God ;  all  this  has  made  an  impression  upon  me 
which  never  can  be  forgotten." 

II.      IT  LOOKS  LIKE  A  MIRACLE. 

♦'  It  looks  like  a  miracle."  So  said  a  lady  at  the 
dedicatory  services  of  the  little  chapel  at  Redcliffe, 
a  needy  field  situated  a  few  miles  from  Bayfield, 
Wisconsin. 

It  is  just  a  year  since  Missionary  Terry,  of  Chip- 
pewa Presbytery,  and  his  wife  organized  the  Sab- 
bath-School at  RedcHffe,  and  under  the  wise  care  of 
Mrs.  Terry  the  school  accompHshed  splendid  work. 
All  the  meetings  were  convened  in  a  private  home, 
there  being  no  public  building  for  the  purpose. 
One  month  ago,  the  people,  stimulated  by  Mission- 
ary Terry,  resolved  to  erect  a  little  chapel  for  their 
Sabbath-School  and  other  services,  and  they  set  to 
work  at  once  to  accomplish  their  desire.  Truly 
they  must  have  been  inspired  by  the  message  of  the 


138       SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS   IN   WISCONSIN 

great  Apostle,  who  said,  "  This  one  thing  I  do,"  for 
in  a  brief  space  of  time  a  neat  Httle  chapel  was 
erected  at  a  cost  of  ;^200.oo,  all  paid  for  by  the 
people,  with  a  little  aid  from  a  few  friends. 

November  i8th,  igoo. — It  was  my  pleasure  and 
privilege  to  visit  Redcliffe  and  to  participate  in  the 
dedicatory  services  in  company  with  Rev.  Mr. 
Breckenridge  of  Bayfield  and  Missionary  Terry ; 
the  two  services  held  were  splendidly  attended ; 
the  exercises  by  the  Sabbath-School  prepared  by 
Mrs.  Terry  won  the  admiration  of  all  present.  The 
scholars  are  especially  to  be  commended  for  their 
memorization  of  so  many  portions  of  God's  Word. 

While  waiting  for  evening  service,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Terry  and  I  were  finely  entertained  in  the  large 
sawmill  boarding  house  on  the  banks  of  Lake  Su- 
perior. This  portion  of  the  day  was  in  hearty 
accord  with  the  pioneer  character  of  our  Sabbath- 
School  missionary  work.  Truly  it  may  be  said  that 
"  there  was  joy  "  in  that  little  settlement  on  that 
day.  A  company  of  twelve  ladies,  who  drove  out 
from  Bayfield,  lent  much  aid  in  the  services. 

And  so  another  little  house  of  the  Lord  has  been 
erected  in  the  ••  highways  and  hedges,"  and  from 
the  seed  sown  we  expect  an  abundant  harvest. 

III.       THE    WELL-WORN    BIBLE. 

April  2jd,  igoi. — I  visited  to-day  a  district 
called  the  Ebbe  settlement,  in  the  northern  part  of 
Wood    County.     The  place   consists   of   a  school- 


RIPENING   FIELDS  I  39 

house,  a  sawmill,  and  a  few  farmhouses.  In  the 
school  I  found  an  enrollment  of  fifteen  scholars  with 
ten  present.  By  permission  of  the  teacher,  I  ad- 
dressed the  scholars,  and  gave  them  picture  cards 
and  papers.  The  place  had  never  before  been  vis- 
ited by  any  Christian  agency.  I  asked  the  scholars 
if  they  would  like  to  have  a  Sabbath-School,  and, 
with  beaming  faces,  they  all  raised  their  hands.  I 
next  visited  the  homes  of  the  people,  and  in  every 
instance  was  heartily  welcomed.  I  took  dinner  in 
the  home  of  the  oldest  settler,  and  found  that  he 
and  his  family  had  been  hidden  away  in  these 
woods  for  thirteen  years.  The  mother  showed  me 
a  well-worn  Bible  and  told  me  of  the  comfort  she 
derived  from  it.  Before  I  took  my  departure,  an 
agreement  was  made  for  the  organization  of  a 
Sabbath-School. 

The  advent  of  a  Sabbath-School  in  such  places  is 
the  dawn  of  the  Sun  of  Righteousness.  Such  visits 
as  I  have  described  are  the  initial  steps  in  this  work 
which  are  being  taken  in  multitudes  of  places  with 
the  happiest  results.  The  sowing  of  the  seed  is 
soon  followed  by  abundant  harvests. 

On  a  certain  Thanksgiving  day  I  left  a  little 
family  party  at  home  to  catch  a  train  which  was  to 
take  me  within  seventeen  miles  of  a  place  where 
the  openmg  services  of  a  mission  chapel  were  to  be 
held.  It  snowed  all  the  way,  and  after  a  drive  of 
three  hours  we  came  to  the  new  chapel  standing 
among  the  remains  of  forest  trees,  with  a  small  hill 


140      SABBATH-SCHOOL   MISSIONS   IN   WISCONSIN 

as  a  background.  It  was  the  product  of  the  humble 
efforts  of  humble  people  whose  children  had  been 
gathered  into  one  of  our  mission  Sabbath-Schools. 
We  held  services  there  for  three  days.  The  school 
has  progressed  finely.  The  chapel  is  the  only 
semblance  of  Protestant  Christianity  for  twenty 
miles  around. 

IV.      A  RED  LETTER  DAY. 

Sabbath,  October  20th,  igoi,  was  a  red  letter  day 
for  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Wausau.  It  was 
the  first  harvest  home  festival  held  under  the  new 
pastor,  Dr.  Wilson.  Ample  arrangements  had  been 
made  for  the  occasion,  provision  for  •*  men  and 
beast  "  being  on  a  liberal  scale.  The  weather  was 
all  that  could  be  desired  and  the  attendance  of  dele- 
gates and  people  was  large.  The  church  was  taste- 
fully decorated  ;  also  special  music  was  rendered  in 
fine  style.  The  services  of  the  day  were  three  in 
number,  presided  over  by  the  pastor.  In  the  fore- 
noon the  sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  L.  C. 
Smith,  Synodical  Home  missionary  for  the  state. 
This  sermon  was  one  of  great  practical  utility, 
sounding  a  suitable  keynote  for  the  services  of  the 
day.  The  afternoon  service  was  a  memorable  one. 
On  the  platform  were  seated  the  church's  own 
missionary  workers,  three  in  number,  one  of  whom 
was  from  the  foreign  field  (Africa) ;  and,  in  addi- 
tion, there  were  delegates  from  sixteen  mission 
fields  from  the  surrounding  country,  extending  a 


RIPENING    FIELDS  I4I 

distance    of    twenty-four   miles   from   the   church. 
The  following  mission  stations  were  represented : 

Aniwa,  Heights,  West  Side,  Hogarty,  Brokaw, 
Edgar,  Johnston,  Schofield,  Fenwood,  Knowles, 
Kelly,  Stratford,  Sandy,  Ribb,  Trappe  and  Hull. 

All  of  these  were  developments  of  Presbyterian 
Sabbath-School  mission  work,  fostered  and  cared 
for  by  the  pastor  and  devoted  members  of  the 
Wausau  Church  during  the  past  thirteen  years, 
with  the  help  of  the  Sabbath-School  missionaries. 

The  sight  presented  was  an  object  lesson  full  of 
guidance  and  comfort,  helping  to  solve  the  great 
problem  of  how  best  to  meet  the  deep  spiritual 
needs  of  our  agricultural  population  in  this  and 
other  states.  The  service  opened  with  an  address 
of  welcome  by  the  pastor,  giving  expression  to  the 
deep  affection  existing  between  the  church  and  the 
mission  fields.  This  was  followed  by  a  graphic 
"  word  picture "  address  by  Rev.  Joseph  Brown, 
Synodical  Sabbath-School  missionary  for  the  state. 
The  address  of  Rev.  F.  G.  Knauer,  of  Bantanza, 
West  Africa,  was  most  interesting  and  suggestive. 
Then  followed  stories  of  work  done  by  field-workers 
and  superintendents  of  the  sixteen  Sabbath-Schools 
represented,  all  of  which  formed  a  picture  of  the 
working  forces  of  Christianity  grand  to  behold  and 
worthy  of  being  remembered. 

Every  arrangement  for  the  entertainment  of  the 
numerous  visitors  was  made  by  the  kindly  people 
of  the  Wausau    Church.     Each    service  was   per- 


142       SABBATH-SCHOOL   MISSIONS   IN   WISCONSIN 

fectly  planned  ;  altogether,  it  was  a  day  to  be  re- 
membered by  all  who  were  privileged  to  be  present. 
Its  common  experiences  bound  all  as  one  family, 
and  right  heartily  did  every  one  join  in  the  closing 
hymn  :  — 

"  Blest  be  the  tie  that  binds 

Our  hearts  in  Christian  love ; 
The  fellowship  of  kindred  minds 
Is  like  to  that  above." 


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CHAPTER  XII 

TOURING    WITH    THE   SUPERINTENDENT   VIEWING   THE 

RESULTS 

Now  the  parable  is  this :  The  seed  is  the  word  of  God.— Luke 
8  :  II. 

I.  A  Week  With  Our  Superintendent. 

II.  Meetings  Held  in  a  Planing  Mill. 

III.  Edgar. 

IV.  Stratford. 

V.    Two  Chapels  Dedicated  on  One  Sabbath. 
VI.     In  the  Lumber  Camps. 


I.      A  WEEK  WITH  OUR  SUPERINTENDENT. 

One  of  the  greatest  factors  stimulating  to  an  in- 
telligent spiritual  type  of  Christian  life  and  effort, 
has  been  the  Monona  Lake  Assembly,  through  its 
normal  class  work  and  devotional  services,  con- 
ducted by  the  Rev.  James  A.  Worden,  D.  D.,  who 
was  also  for  twelve  years  conductor  of  the  Assembly. 

The  entire  state  has  been  represented  year  by 
year,  permeating  even  remotest  rural  neighborhoods 
with  fresh,  vigorous  methods,  along  preparatory, 
pedagogic  and  evangelistic  lines,  thus  telling 
mightily  for  Christ  and  the  Church. 

143 


144       SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS   IN   WISCONSIN 

The  Monona  Assembly  closed  August  2d,  1901. 
All  arrangements,  the  results  of  two  weeks  of  hard 
work,  being  completed,  we  hastened  with  Dr.  Wor- 
den  through  the  forest  and  across  several  streams, 
to  the  site  of  our  first  midsummer  Institute,  on  a 
peninsula  formed  by  Rocky  Run  Creek  and  the 
Wisconsin  River.  Here  the  people  gathered,  to  the 
number  of  three  hundred,  including  all  the  mission 
schools  from  Portage  to  Lodi,  a  distance  of 
seventeen  miles,  the  region  being  without  a  single 
church.  God's  blessing  upon  our  efforts  in  this 
territory,  however,  gives  the  assurance  that  a  chapel 
will  be  dedicated  the  coming  fall,  encouraged  by  the 
generous  gift  of  the  Bryn  Mawr  Sabbath-School, 
near  Philadelphia. 

After  the  usual  services  of  prayer  and  praise,  and 
addresses  of  welcome  and  response.  Dr.  Worden,  in 
an  able  gospel  awakening  address,  struck  a  high 
note  of  spirituality.  It  was  well  maintained  through- 
out and  gave  inspiration  to  each  succeeding  gather- 
ing. His  afternoon  address  on  "  Decision "  left 
never-to-be-forgotten  impressions  that  will  doubtless 
lead  many  to  decide  for  Christ.  At  the  dinner 
hour  a  rustic  table  sixty-five  feet  long  was  spread 
under  the  elms  and  maples  ;  there  were  also  many 
groups  dining  here  and  there  in  the  friendly  shade 
on  the  river's  bank. 

August  4th,  we  crossed  the  Wisconsin  and  Bara- 
boo  Rivers,  over  the  semi-mountain  road,  to  Owen's 
Glen,  where  willing  hands  had  erected  large  plat- 


VIEWING    THE    RESULTS  I45 

forms  for  speakers  and  choir  decorated  with  Sab- 
bath-School banners  and  national  colors  ;  also  plank 
seatings  for  several  hundred.  Here  fully  four  hun- 
dred people,  including  twelve  Sabbath-Schools,  en- 
joyed an  all-day  banquet  of  spiritual  blessings,  the 
varied  programme  culminating  in  a  sermon  delivered 
by  Dr.  Worden. 

August  ^th,  I  go  I. — We  were  driven  across  valleys 
and  over  hills  for  twenty  miles  to  Gibraltar  Rock,  six 
hundred  and  thirty-five  feet  above  the  great  lakes, 
one  of  the  most  commanding  views  in  the  state. 
Upon  its  summit  one  hundred  people  gathered  for 
an  afternoon  of  gospel  conference.  All  felt  the 
presence  and  power  of  the  Master,  a  "  mount  of 
transfiguration"  experience  that  will  be  felt  in  en- 
larged work,  in  surrounding  valleys  for  perishing 
souls. 

August  6th. — Another  three  hundred  awaited  us 
in  Lodi  Park,  overlooking  the  town  of  twelve  hun- 
dred. The  good  pastor.  Rev.  G.  C.  Lamb,  who 
accompanied  us  the  day  previous,  with  his  es- 
teemed  elder,  Mr.  H.  Palmer  and  full  staff  of  willing 
helpers,  had  everything  in  readiness  for  the  usual 
two  services  of  from  two  to  three  hours  each. 
Local  talent  is  drawn  upon  always — one  hour  each 
afternoon  being  devoted  to  the  reading  of  papers  by 
teachers,  brief  addresses  by  superintendents,  and 
recitations  by  youth  and  children.  Mr.  Lamb,  on 
parting,  said  with  feeling :  "  My  dear  Dr.  Worden, 
you  have  been   a  blessing  to  my  people ;  my  min- 


146       SABBATH-SCHOOL   MISSIONS    IN   WISCONSIN 

istry  will  be  made  more  effectual  by  your  strong 
fearless  messages  in  love's  language." 

The  following  day  we  took  the  train  north,  tarry- 
ing a  few  hours  at  Devil's  Lake,  a  body  of  clear 
spring  water  one  and  one-half  miles  long  by  one- 
quarter  mile  wide,  two  hundred  feet  above  the 
valley,  and  enclosed  in  a  granite  setting  rising  in 
majestic  grandeur  five  hundred  and  thirty  feet  above 
the  sparklmg  waters. 

We  were  driven  over  this  granite  range  down  its 
rocky  northern  slope  to  Sauk  Prairie,  a  veritable 
fairy  land  showing  hundreds  of  well-to-do  farmers' 
residences,  dotted  here  and  there  with  our  mission 
schools,  forty  of  which  were  reached  during  these 
two  days.  This  speaks  volumes  of  God's  blessing 
upon  Sabbath-School  mission  work. 

In  Pine  Hollow  Canyon,  running  into  the  range 
a  distance  of  one-half  a  mile,  with  rocky  walls  on 
either  side,  five  hundred  people,  representing  a  ru- 
ral section  of  one  hundred  and  fifty-six  square  miles, 
tarried  a  whole  day  in  communion  with  God  and 
each  other.  The  Rev.  W.  J.  Turner  cut  short  his 
vacation  to  be  with  us  here.  He  rendered  splendid 
service.  This  was  our  last  Institute  together,  and 
the  parting  was  expressive  of  true  Christian  friend- 
ship. The  services  had  been  a  blessing  to  the  hun- 
dreds of  homes  and  thousands  of  people  to  whom 
worship  in  a  public  sanctuary  is  a  rarity. 

The  good  wishes  and  earnest  prayers  of  the  peo- 
ple covering  the  large  rural  territory  reached  by  our 


VIEWING   THE   RESULTS  1 4/ 

beloved  Dr.  Worden,  will  ever  follow  him  in  the 
great  work  and  labor  of  love  to  which  he  has  been 
called.  The  hope  is  in  many  hearts  that  in  the  near 
future  the  missionary  tour  will  be  repeated. 

Cheered  and  stimulated  by  these  blessed  associa- 
tions in  the  name  of  our  adored  Lord  and  Master, 
we  go  forward  carrying  the  ''  glad  tidings  of  great 
joy  "  to  the  masses  yet  unreached. 

II.      MEETINGS  HELD  IN  A  PLANING  MILL. 

On  June  27th,  28th  and  29th,  1902,  it  was  my 
privilege  and  pleasure  to  visit,  in  company  with 
Messrs.  Murphy  and  Terry,  the  Sabbath-School 
mission  fields  in  and  around  the  City  of  Phillips, 
Northern  Wisconsin.  The  three  days'  mission  work 
was  memorable  in  many  ways.  The  visit  to  these 
fields  only  tended  to  deepen  our  compassion  for  the 
sheep  and  lambs  having  no  shepherd,  many  of  whom 
seemed  tired  and  broken  down.  In  trying  to  meet 
this  need  the  Presbyterian  Church,  with  its  staff  of 
Sabbath-School  missionaries,  deserves  well  of  the 
people  at  large  and  of  its  own  members  in  par- 
ticular. 

Let  me  try  to  give  a  bird's-eye  view  of  the  grand 
work  that  is  being  done  for  the  good  of  the  people 
in  these  new  and  needy  settlements.  Within  a 
radius  of  twelve  miles  around  Phillips  we  have  four 
Sabbath-Schools  in  operation,  all  of  which  have 
been  put  under  the  care  of  Rev.  S.  H.  Murphy,  the 
pastor    of    the    Presbyterian    church    of  Phillips. 


148       SABBATII-SCHOOL    MISSIONS   IN   WISCONSIN 

They  are  all  in  needy  places,  with  many  children 
and  young  people  waiting  for  instructions  and  train- 
ing in  the  knowledge  of  the  Word  of  God.  The 
persons  selected  as  Sabbath-School  teachers  are 
doing  their  best,  their  labors  being  supplemented 
by  help  from  Phillips,  and  the  occasional  visits  of 
the  Sabbath-School  missionaries. 

During   our  cooperative  visit  on  the  dates  men- 
tioned above,   nine  addresses  were  given  to  large 
and    interested    audiences.     Were  it  not  for  such 
work  these  people  would  be  left  destitute  of  all  pub- 
lic means  of  grace.     Such  work  is  often  done  under 
difficulties,  as  the  following  facts  will  show  :  One  of 
the   Sabbath-Schools  and  several  of  the  meetings 
were  held  in  a  planing  mill  fitted  up  temporarily  for 
the  purpose.     It  was  impressive  to  see  and  to  take 
part  in  a  meeting  held  in  such  a  place.     The  meet- 
ing had  a  weird  aspect  as  one  looked  into  the  faces 
of  those  present  amid  the  dim  light  of  the  two  lan- 
terns  hung   up  on  the  post.     Fifty  persons  were 
present,  drawn  from  scattered  and  lonely  homes. 
We  were  impressed  by  this  as  the  house  where  we 
took  supper  was  in  the  heart  of  the  forest  with  only 
a  few  acres  cleared.     While   at  supper  we  saw  a 
neighbor  who  came  a  quarter  of  a  mile  for  drinking 
water  as  he  had  no  well  of  his  own  as  yet,  being  so 
poor  he  could  not  afford  such  a  necessity.     Truly, 
"  Truth  is  stranger  than  fiction."     Much  prayer  and 
effort  are  needed  to  help  these  fields  in  their  trying 
circumstances.     Efforts  are  being  made  to  build  two 


VIEWING   THE   RESULTS  149 

chapels — one    in    Georgetown,  the  other  in  New 
Chicago. 

III.      EDGAR. 

Sunday,  November  2ph,  igo2,  was  a  day  long  to 
be  remembered  by  the  people  of  Edgar.  On  that 
day  a  neat  and  commodious  chapel  was  dedicated 
to  the  worship  and  service  of  God.  The  chapel  is 
40  by  26  feet  in  size  and  cost  ^955.00.  This  is  the 
fruitage  of  a  Sabbath-School  started  several  years 
ago,  and  kept  going  by  a  few  faithful  women.  This 
is  now  one  of  the  three  preaching  stations  on  the 
line  between  Wausau  and  Marshfield,  which  are 
under  the  care  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  The 
dedication  services  were  three  in  number,  lasting  all 
the  day  and  were  much  appreciated  by  the  large 
audiences  in  attendance.  Rev.  S.  N.  Wilson,  D.  D., 
of  Wausau,  who  was  accompanied  by  two  of  his 
elders,  Messrs.  Stone  and  Gates,  presided  on  the 
occasion,  and  was  assisted  by  Rev.  C.  C.  Hamilton 
of  Nasonville,  Rev.  Joseph  Brown  of  Marshfield, 
Synodical  Sabbath-School  missionary  for  Wiscon- 
sin, Mr.  Rimmer,  pastor,  and  Samuel  Martin,  Sab- 
bath-School missionary.  The  services  were  all 
helpful  and  well  calculated  to  promote  the  better- 
ment of  the  people.  The  sacrament  of  the  Lord's 
Supper  was  celebrated  during  the  afternoon  when 
five  members  were  added  to  the  church.  During 
the  day's  services,  the  sum  of  ^238.00  was  given  to- 
ward an  indebtedness  of  about  ^400.00.     All  things 


150      SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS   IN   WISCONSIN 

considered,  this  was  noble,  indeed,  and  reflected 
great  credit  upon  the  people.  At  the  evening  serv- 
ice, a  standing  vote  of  thanks  was  given  to  Mrs.  W. 
D.  Connor  of  Marshfield,  for  her  gift  of  chairs  for 
the  church,  and  to  all  others  who  have  in  any  way 
lent  help  in  this  noble  work. 

IV.      STRATFORD. 

The  dedication  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church 
took  place  on  Tuesday.  The  services  were  two  in 
number  ;  one  being  held  in  the  afternoon  and  the 
other  in  the  evening.  At  both  services  the  church 
was  well  filled  by  people  of  the  town  and  neighbor- 
hood, with  two  large  outside  delegations  ;  one  was 
from  Wausau  of  eighteen  persons,  headed  by  Rev. 
S.  N.  Wilson,  Rev.  James  Wilson,  of  Merrill,  Elder 
Stone,  of  Wausau,  and  fifteen  others.  The  one 
from  Marshfield  was  headed  by  the  Rev.  J.  Frank 
Young,  Rev.  Joseph  Brown,  Elder  Adam  Long  and 
fifteen  others,  all  of  whom  were  deeply  interested  in 
the  work.  It  was  pleasing  to  note  the  substantial 
aid  given  by  Mr.  W.  D.  Connor,  who  contributed 
dollar  for  dollar  subscribed  toward  the  erection  of 
the  church.  The  edifice  is  beautiful  in  its  design 
and  commodious  in  its  arrangements.  It  is  a  grand 
addition  to  the  village  of  Stratford  and  reflects  great 
credit  on  all  who  lent  a  hand  in  its  construction. 
This  work  was  begun  eight  years  ago  by  the  hold- 
ing of  services  and  the  organization  of  a  Sabbath- 
School  by  the  Rev.  Joseph  Brown.     The  work  has 


VIEWING   THE   RESULTS  IS  I 

been  helped  by  many  visits  of  Christian  workers 
and  by  the  pastor  from  Marshfield,  and  grandly 
completed  by  the  Rev.  K.  Knudson,  the  pastor  in 
charge.  The  visitors  were  well  entertained  and 
supper  was  served  in  the  Woodmen  Hall  by  the 
Ladies'  Aid  Society.  The  sermons  were  able  and 
interesting  and  seemed  to  be  well  appreciated  by  all 
present.  The  church  cost  ;^  1,700,  and  has  an  in- 
debtedness of  only  ;^300.  On  Tuesday  the  collec- 
tions amounted  to  ;^  100.00. 

V.      TWO    CHAPELS    DEDICATED    ON   ONE   SABBATH. 

Sabbath,  November  i^th,  igoj^  was  a  day  long  to 
be  remembered  by  the  people  in  the  districts  of 
Little  Elk  and  Little  Chicago.  At  each  place  a 
neat  and  commodious  Presbyterian  chapel  was  dedi- 
cated. The  services  at  Little  Elk  began  at  2  :  30 
p.  M.,  at  which  time  the  chapel  was  filled  with  an 
appreciative  audience.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Mead  pre- 
sided ;  the  sermon  was  delivered  by  Rev.  Mr. 
Benson,  of  Phillips,  and  was  appropriate  to  the  oc- 
casion. Suitable  Scripture  was  read  by  pastor  and 
people  and  the  dedicatory  prayer  was  offered  by 
Rev.  Joseph  Brown,  Sabbath-School  missionary. 
The  chapel  was  dedicated  free  of  debt.  Mr.  Brown 
promised  to  procure  an  organ.  The  people  were 
filled  with  joy  and  hope.  A  deputation  of  mem- 
bers of  the  Phillips  church  was  present  and  added 
much  to  the  success  of  the  meeting.  The  blessing 
of  God  was  manifestly  present. 


152       SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS   IN   WISCONSIN 

After  an  interval  of  two  hours  and  a  drive  of  five 
miles,  the  second  dedicatory  service  took  place. 
The  chapel  of  Little  Chicago  was  also  filled  by  in- 
terested people.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Mead  presided. 
The  sermon,  on  this  occasion,  was  delivered  by  Mr. 
Brown  who  took  for  his  text,  "  He  loveth  our  na- 
tion and  he  hath  built  us  a  synagogue."  Luke  7:5. 
Mr.  Mead  offered  the  dedicatory  prayer.  Mr. 
Brown,  in  congratulating  the  people  on  the  happy 
events  of  the  day,  promised  to  aid  them  in  their 
services.  Both  pastor  and  people  were  much  en- 
couraged for  their  future  work.  Votes  of  thanks 
were  joyfully  given  to  all  who  had  aided  in  the 
erection  of  these  chapels.  A  collection  of  eight 
dollars  was  given  by  the  two  churches  to  the  Sab- 
bath-School Board  of  our  Church  for  its  kind  aid. 

VI.      IN   THE    LUMBER    CAMPS. 

I  took  the  train  for  Laona  Junction,  and  reached 
that  point  at  ten  o'clock.  Here  I  boarded  the 
company's  train  for  Laona.  On  my  way  down,  I 
passed  two  camps  in  full  working  order.  Laona  I 
found  to  be  a  great  lumbering  center  which  pre- 
sents a  fine  iUustration  of  what  good  business  abil- 
ity, money  and  labor  combined  can  accomplish.  I 
was  told  that  the  firm  employs  upwards  of  six  hun- 
dred men  and  has  ten  camps  in  operation  for  the 
winter.  The  plant  is  a  fine  one  and  the  houses  are 
numerous  and  comfortable,  lending  an  air  of  pros- 
perity to  the  place.    I  was  most  kindly  received  and 


VIEWING   THE    RESULTS  I53 

most  generously  entertained  by  the  people.  Ouf 
Church  has  a  Sabbath-School  there  and  an  oc- 
casional preaching  service,  and  the  people  are  nobly 
preparing  to  build  a  chapel  in  the  spring.  I  held 
three  services  on  the  Sabbath,  all  of  which  were 
well  attended.     It  was  a  joy  for  me  to  be  there. 

I  met  many  pleasant  people,  who  are  working 
together  to  make  Laona  a  clean  and  desirable 
town,  in  which  it  will  be  a  pleasure  for  them  to 
live.  I  was  also  told  that  the  R.  Connor  Company 
had  work  there  for  the  coming  twenty-five  years, 
which  is  an  added  incentive  to  make  this  a  model 
town. 


CHAPTER  XIII 

RETROSPECT 

The  great  agency  of  the  twentieth  century  for  bringing  to  Christ 
the  neglected  children  is  the  Sabbath-School.  It  is  the  strong  arm 
stretched  forth  to  uplift  little  ones  who  else  would  have  no  helper. 
— Franklin  L.  Sheppard, 

I.     Summary. 
II.     A  Meditation. 


I.       SUMMARY. 

From  July  i^th,  1888,  to  July  ^th,  iQoj. — Hav- 
ing reached  the  fifteenth  anniversary  of  the  day 
upon  which  I  began  my  labors  as  a  Sabbath-School 
missionary  in  the  state  of  Wisconsin,  it  seems  but 
fitting  and  proper  that  I  take  a  brief,  retrospective 
view  of  these  years,  and  summarize  the  work  which 
has  been  accomplished  through  the  blessing  and 
guidance  of  the  Master  in  whose  Name  and  for 
whose  sake,  these  years  of  service  have  been  spent. 

I  was  appointed  to  this  great  branch  of  our 
Church's  work  on  July  5th,  1888.  Here  I  quote  the 
facts  concerning  my  appointment  in  the  words  of 
another. 

"  It  was  about  this  time,  1888,  that  the  Sabbath- 
School  mission  work  of  the  Presbyterian  Board  of 
154 


RETROSPECT  1 5  5 

Publication  was  inaugurated,  and  a  wealthy  Presby- 
terian in  the  vicinity  of  Philadelphia  immediately 
became  interested  in  the  movement.  He  gener- 
ously offered  to  provide  the  means  for  the  support 
of  a  missionary  to  be  stationed  in  Wisconsin,  if  the 
proper  man  could  be  found.  Mr.  Brown  was 
recommended  as  a  man  of  wide  experience  in 
Christian  work,  and  well  fitted  for  the  position.  At 
first  he  was  reluctant  about  leaving  the  East  where 
he  had  made  many  friends,  and  going  to  the  far 
West  where  all  were  strangers.  Yet  it  seemed  that 
this  was  the  great  work  for  which  God  had  been 
preparing  him  all  these  years.  The  Board  was  of 
the  opinion  that  he  was  just  the  man  for  the  place, 
and  that  he  must  be  secured. 

"  Consequently  he  was  commissioned  to  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Winnebago,  and  started  to  his  field  of 
labor  on  July  5th,  1888,  he  being  the  first  permanent 
Presbyterian  Sabbath-School  missionary  in  Wis- 
consin." 

On  the  9th  of  July,  1888,  I  reached  Stevens 
Point  and  reported  to  the  Rev.  Walter  Frame 
(now  deceased)  who  was  at  that  time  pastor  of  the 
Presbyterian  church  of  that  city.  He  greeted  me 
most  cordially  and  gave  me  my  first  instructions  as 
to  the  manner  in  which  my  work  was  to  be  per- 
formed ;  standing  before  the  map  of  Wisconsin, 
with  pencil  in  hand,  he  sketched  my  pathway  from 
Stevens  Point  to  Ashland,  across  to  West  Superior, 
thence  down  by  Spooner  to   Chippewa  Falls  and 


156       SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS   IN   WISCONSIN 

Eau  Claire,  and  back  again  to  Stevens  Point  by 
way  of  Abbotsford,  saying  as  he  did  so :  "  Stop  at 
all  the  stations  along  these  lines,  go  out  into  the 
country  homes  to  the  right  and  left,  find  out  the 
needs  of  the  people,  do  what  you  can  to  meet 
them,  and  then  report  to  us.  Personally  we  pas- 
tors do  not  know  the  spiritual  needs  of  these  coun- 
try regions.  Do  your  best,  organize  as  many  Sab- 
bath-Schools as  you  can,  hold  gospel  meetings  in 
the  homes  of  the  people  and  in  schoolhouses ;  do 
all  this  in  humble  dependence  upon  God,  and  may 
his  richest  blessing  rest  upon  you."  Down  through 
the  years  echo  the  memorable  words  of  this  good 
friend,  whose  instructions  I  endeavored,  and  still  en- 
deavor, to  follow. 

In  the  month  of  November,  1893,  I  was  pro- 
moted to  the  position  of  Synodical  Sabbath-School 
missionary,  which  position  I  still  hold,  my  field  of 
labor  including  the  entire  state. 

A  short  time  after  this  promotion,  I  was,  by 
special  request  of  many  of  the  pastors,  ordained  to 
the  sacred  office  of  the  ministry  by  the  Presbytery 
of  Winnebago,  with  delegations  from  the  other 
presbyteries. 

This  great  honor,  I  most  heartily  appreciated,  ac- 
cepting it  as  a  token  of  especial  approval  of  the 
work  which  God  had  so  abundantly  blessed. 

During  the  past  twelve  years,  for  a  few  weeks  in 
the  depths  of  each  winter,  I  have  been  accorded 
the  great  privilege  of  visiting  a  large  number  of  our 


RETROSPECT  157 

churches  in  Chicago  and  in  the  East,  especially  in 
Philadelphia  and  vicinity,  for  the  purpose  of  giving 
graphic  "  word-pictures  "  of  Sabbath-School  mis- 
sion work  in  Wisconsin.  By  the  blessing  and 
guidance  of  God  this  branch  of  labor  has  been  most 
useful,  deepening  the  interest  of  the  people,  and 
causing  an  increase  in  the  contributions  of  the 
churches  and  Sabbath-Schools. 

It  has  also  been  my  great  privilege  during  the 
past  seven  years  to  attend  the  meetings  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  of  our  Church  and  to  address  that 
honorable  body  in  the  interest  of  the  work  so  dear 
to  my  heart.  Such  privileges,  while  laden  with 
great  responsibility,  have  in  them  also  an  element  of 
rich  reward. 

As  I  review  the  record  of  these  fifteen  years  of 
service  in  the  mission  field,  and  as  I  feel  the  third 
and  last  division  of  my  life's  work  now  tinged  with 
the  western  glow  of  the  setting  sun,  there  rise  be- 
fore my  view  three  great  mountain-tops,  pleasant  to 
behold,  and  to  cherish  as  dear  memories;  these 
represent  the  constant  goodness  and  care  of  Al- 
mighty God  which  have  followed  me  all  the  days  of 
my  Ufe ;  the  patience  and  loving  kindness  of  my 
dear  brother  missionaries,  pastors,  people,  and  the 
members  of  our  Board  in  Philadelphia;  and  the 
gracious  hospitality  of  the  people  among  whom  I 
have  labored  and  in  whose  homes  I  have  ever  been 
treated  as  an  honored  guest.  I  bow  in  thankful- 
ness before  these  mountain  heights  of  blessings,  and 


158       SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS   IN   WISCONSIN 

in  my  heart  there  is  a  deep  gratitude  which  words 
can  but  faintly  express. 

Through  this  great  and  important  work  many 
young  minds  have  been  brought  under  the  influence 
of  the  Word  of  God  ;  many  homes  have  been  vis- 
ited and  truth  deposited  there  ;  many  services  have 
been  held,  attended  by  large  numbers  of  people, 
old  and  young. 

All  these  means  of  grace  have  been  afforded  to 
people  in  districts  hitherto  spiritually  destitute 
in  the  majority  of  cases.  Such  work,  done  in 
faith,  accompanied  by  the  prayers  of  many  of 
God's  children,  and  followed  with  his  blessing, 
must,  of  divine  necessity,  be  productive  of  much 
good  to  individuals,  families  and  communities. 
Duty  is  ours,  results  are  God's.  Believing  this,  I 
have  done  my  work  in  hope,  having  confidence  in 
God,  who  reigns  supreme  over  all,  and  who  has 
formed  gracious  purposes  toward  the  sinful  children 
of  men. 

Streaks  of  light  frequently  flash  across  my  path 
to  encourage  me  to  more  earnest  and  faithful  efforts. 
The  difficulties  and  greatness  of  the  work  make 
one  feel  the  great  need  of  the  Holy  Spirit ;  nothing 
but  the  power  of  the  Holy  Spirit  accompanying  the 
means  of  grace  is  able  to  subdue  and  change  the 
hearts,  lives  and  manners  of  young  and  old. 

The  cause  of  Christ,  the  highest  good  of  man, 
and  the  future  welfare  of  this  country  demand  the 
continued  efforts  and  prayers  of  all  God's  people. 


s. 


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RETROSPECT  159 

The  Sabbath-School  mission  work  ought  to  lie 
very  near  the  hearts  of  American  Christian  people, 
seeing  that  they  have  been  called  to  undertake  a 
work  unequaled  in  the  history  of  the  world,  namely 
the  evangelization  of  the  vast  number  of  people 
coming  from  all  the  nations  of  the  world  to  make 
this  their  permanent  home. 

II.  A  MEDITATION — AFTER  FIFTEEN  YEARS  OF  PRES- 
BYTERIAN SABBATH-SCHOOL  MISSIONARY  WORK  IN 
WISCONSIN. 

Fifteen  years  of  Sabbath -School  work  done  in 
the  "  highways  and  hedges  "  of  Wisconsin  afford 
means  and  opportunities  of  reaching  a  fair  estimate 
of  its  usefulness.  The  Sabbath-School  missionary 
is  commissioned  not  only  to  do  certain  kinds  of 
missionary  work,  but  it  is  also  his  duty,  as  a  true 
worker,  to  collect  and  formulate  truths  bearing  upon 
the  work  which  it  is  important  for  the  Church  to 
know.  Long  and  loving  service  in  such  work  en- 
kindles thoughts  and  gives  birth  to  opinions,  which 
it  is  his  duty  to  state  for  the  future  guidance  and 
consideration  of  our  Church.  Prompted  by  such 
thoughts  it  seems  wise  and  expedient  that  I  should 
make  the  following  statements  as  the  result  of  my 
long  and  practical  labors  in  the  mission  field  : 

I.  We  are  of  the  opinion  that  the  Presbyterian 
Church  acted  wisely  in  formulating  and  taking  up 
Sabbath-School  mission  work,  as  it  has  done  dur- 
ing the  past  ten  years.     Results  have  proven  it  to 


l6o       SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS    IN   WISCONSIN 

be  meritorious  in  all  its  parts,  forming  a  necessary 
and  much-needed  part  of  aggressive  church  work, 
adapted  to  meet  the  deep  needs  of  the  vast  coun- 
try regions  of  the  different  states.  This  deep  need 
forms  God's  call  to  his  Church,  to  go  and  do  the 
work  as  best  it  can.  The  Church  that  does  this 
work  enkindles  kindly  thoughts  toward  itself  and 
prepares  the  people,  not  only  to  come  to  Jesus,  but 
also  to  place  themselves  under  the  care  of  such  a 
Church.  Sabbath-School  missionary  work  has  been 
a  most  prolific  source  from  which  Presbyterian 
churches  have  grown  during  the  past  fifteen  years. 

II.  From  what  we  have  seen  and  heard  during 
the  past  fifteen  years,  we  believe  that  the  Sabbath- 
School  missionary  work  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
has  brought  the  blessings  of  salvation  to  the  hearts 
and  the  homes  of  many  of  the  people  of  Wiscon- 
sin. It  is  now  difficult  to  travel  far  into  the  interior 
of  many  of  our  counties  without  coming  across 
persons  and  communities  so  blessed.  The  good  can 
be  seen  in  the  lives  and  homes  of  the  people,  so 
changed  and  brightened  have  they  become.  As 
one  of  the  results  of  this,  the  love  and  kindness 
that  are  shown  to  the  Sabbath-School  missionary 
never  fail.  The  country  part  of  our  missions  is 
without  expense,  it  being  always  met  by  the  people 
among  whom  we  labor.  What  a  boon  such  work 
must  have  been  to  these  people,  prompting  them  to 
rise  to  the  height  of  such  practical  fruit-bearing  ! 

III.  It  has  been  proven  that  the  Sabbath-School 


RETROSPECT  l6l 

organized  and  helped  by  a  neighboring  church,  suc- 
ceeds best.  This  is  natural  and  reasonable,  and,  we 
should  like  to  add,  beautiful.  Where  such  help  has 
been  given,  the  results  have  been  grand — not  only 
to  the  people  helped,  but  also  to  the  people  and  the 
church  that  gave  the  help.  In  Wisconsin  we  have 
many  such  cases  and  they  are  increasing  year  by 
year  as  the  work  extends.  The  pastor  or  church 
that  is  not  in  loving  sympathy  and  ready  to  help  in 
such  work,  fails  in  a  very  serious  manner  to  meet 
the  deep  need  of  these  present  times.  Such  cases 
are,  we  are  happy  to  say,  few  and  far  between  in  Wis- 
consin. During  the  past  fifteen  years  our  hearts  have 
been  cheered  and  our  hands  supported,  by  the  help 
and  sympathy  so  frequently  and  so  generously  given. 
IV.  Having  been  commissioned  by  the  Presby- 
terian Board  of  Publication  and  Sabbath-School 
Work  to  this  duty  as  the  representative  of  a  Christian 
business  man,  an  elder  in  our  Church,  we  are  con- 
vinced that  here  is  a  way  in  which  churches  and  in- 
dividuals can  be  represented  in  the  Sabbath-School 
missionary  field,  so  as  to  be  greatly  helpful  to  the 
Board  and  to  the  Church.  This  way  of  doing 
God's  work  possesses,  in  our  opinion,  peculiar  at- 
tractiveness and  many  advantages,  and  is  a  fine  ex- 
hibition of  stewardship  toward  God  and  man.  Con- 
sidered in  every  way,  it  is  commendable  and 
worthy  of  being  pressed  on  the  attention  of  churches 
and  individuals.  With  so  many  wealthy  churches 
and  members  we  should  have  a  large  number   of 


1 62       SABBATH-SCHOOL    MISSIONS   IN   WISCONSIN 

Sabbath-School  missionaries  thus  appointed.  In 
this  way  our  Church  might  have  a  large  standing 
army  of  noble  workers  for  the  Master. 

V.  It  is  obvious  that  the  success  of  this  work 
must  depend  largely  upon  the  qualifications  of  the 
men  commissioned  to  do  it.  Men  of  rare  adapt- 
ability are  required.  A  Sabbath-School  missionary 
should  be  a  man  of  good  health,  comely  in  appear- 
ance, and  able  to  endure  much  hardship  incident  to 
country  travel  and  living.  He  should  be  a  true 
Christian,  tried  and  tested  by  manifold  Christian 
labors,  especially  among  children  and  young  people. 
He  should  have  his  mind  well  stored  with  Bible 
truths,  and  along  with  this  he  should  be  a  well  read 
man.  He  should  be  earnest  in  his  thinking,  clear 
and  distinct  in  his  speaking  and  impressive  and  win- 
some in  his  address.  He  should  be  possessed  of  a 
large  fund  of  common  sense  and  have  the  common 
sense  to  use  it  as  he  goes  along.  He  should  be 
courteous  and  civil  to  all  whom  he  may  meet,  and 
be  possessed  of  the  cheerful  disposition  that  should 
ever  be  associated  with  the  Christian  gentleman. 
He  should  be  a  true  Presbyterian,  well  acquainted 
with  the  facts  and  doctrines  of  our  Church,  the 
spirit  of  which,  entering  his  soul,  will  give  an  action 
in  keeping  with  the  trend  of  our  Church.  He 
should  be  a  man  of  large  mind  and  heart,  able  to 
love  the  good  work  of  others  and  ready  to  join 
hands  in  a  true  spirit  of  cooperative  effort  when 
such  is  possible.     He  should  be  a  man  ready  and 


RETROSPECT  1 63 

willing  to  live  up  to  all  the  rules  and  requirements 
laid  down  for  his  guidance,  aiming  in  all  such  to  be 
faithful.  He  should  be  a  man  of  humility  and 
prayer,  ever  seeking  not  to  think  of  himself  more 
highly  than  he  ought  to  think,  but  to  think  soberly 
according  as  God  hath  dealt  to  every  man  the 
measure  of  faith.  These  requirements,  and  many 
others  which  will  suggest  themselves,  are  needed  in 
order  to  make  a  model  Presbyterian  Sabbath-School 
missionary. 

We  are  impressed  with  the  grandeur  and  im- 
portance of  the  work  of  gathering  in  the  little  ones 
and  others  to  Jesus  through  the  agency  of  the  Sab- 
bath-School. The  work  is  worth  our  noblest  en- 
deavor as  a  Church  or  as  individuals.  The  plant- 
ing of  Mission  Sabbath-Schools  away  out  in  the 
country  places  has  been  to  such  places  like  the  dawn 
of  a  new  Star  of  Bethlehem,  bringing  new  thoughts, 
awakening  new  desires,  leading  to  different  action, 
and  resulting  in  different  conditions. 

"  How  beautiful  upon  the  mountains  are  the  feet 
of  him  that  bringeth  good  tidings,  that  publisheth 
peace  ;  that  bringeth  good  tidings  of  good,  that  pub- 
lisheth salvation ;  that  saith  unto  Zion,  Thy  God 
reigneth  ! 

"  Break  forth  into  joy,  sing  together,  ye  waste 
places  of  Jerusalem ;  for  the  Lord  hath  comforted 
his  people,  he  hath  redeemed  Jerusalem."  Isa. 
52:  7,9. 

THE   END 


7. 


^-5J!*U<U.^ 


